unattainable

Definitions

un- (not) + attainable (able to be reached) = 'impossible to reach.' Picture a goal held just beyond your fingertips, no matter how you stretch — that's unattainable. Note the root here traces to tangere 'touch,' not 'hold' (see attain).

Common Collocations

• 1.unattainable goal难以实现的目标
• 2.unattainable ideal遥不可及的理想
• 3.seemingly unattainable看似无法达到的
• 4.unattainable standard高不可攀的标准

Example Sentences

• 1.

  For most people, that lifestyle is simply unattainable.

• 2.

  She set herself an unattainable standard of perfection.

• 3.

  The summit seemed unattainable in the storm.