Irresistible
/ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbl/noun
Too attractive, powerful, or compelling to be resisted.
Did you know?Irresistible ultimately connects to the ancient Indo-European root for “stand,” linking modern attraction with the idea of being unable to withstand a force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*steh₂-
“To stand or remain firmly in place”
Ancient Greek
Greek
histēmi
“I stand, cause to stand, or set upright”
Classical Latin
Latin
sistere
“To stand still or cause to stand”
Classical Latin
Latin
resistere
“To stand back or stand against”
Medieval Latin
Latin
irresistibilis
“Unable to be resisted”
15th Century
English
irresistible
“Impossible to withstand or oppose”
Modern English
English
irresistible
“So compelling or attractive that resistance seems impossible”