The word impeccable has been used in English since at least 1531. It derives from the Latin word impeccabilis, a combination of the Latin prefix in-, meaning "not," and the verb peccare, meaning "to sin." Peccare has other descendents in English. There is peccadillo, meaning "a slight offense," and peccant, meaning "guilty of a moral offense or simply "faulty." There is also peccavi, which comes from Latin, where it literally means "I have sinned," and which is used in English as a noun meaning "an acknowledgment of sin."
Examples of impeccable in a Sentence
Grandfather found a reason to slip in every five minutes. The empty soda cans had to be removed, the bowl of potato chips refreshed. He was sure that he moved unnoticed, like an impeccable waiter of the old school …— Darryl Pinckney, High Cotton, 1992His English was impeccable but halting, like a well-tooled but slightly rusted machine.— John Updike, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 1987
In order to ensure that at least one verifiable Spaniard participate in this critical venture, Mendoza asked Bishop Zumárraga to nominate as second-in-command a younger friar with impeccable credentials, and the cleric selected a Fransiscan in whom he had great faith …— James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
She has impeccable taste in music.
the etiquette expert was celebrated for her absolutely impeccable manners
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impeccable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.