Inextricably intertwined meaning
/ˌɪnɪkˈstrɪkəbli ˌɪntərˈtwaɪnd ˈmiːnɪŋ/
C2
Definition
This phrase means that the meanings of two or more things are deeply connected and cannot be separated. "Inextricably" means something cannot be undone or separated, and "intertwined" means twisted or linked together. So, the meanings are mixed so closely that they depend on each other.
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See It in Action
Describing meanings or ideas that cannot be separated
- •The history and culture of the country are inextricably intertwined, making it hard to understand one without the other.
- •Their personal and professional lives have an inextricably intertwined meaning.
- •In literature, the themes of love and loss are often inextricably intertwined.
Describing relationships or things closely linked so they affect each other
- •The environment and the economy have inextricably intertwined meanings in this region.
- •The fate of the two characters was inextricably intertwined throughout the story.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "inextricably intertwined" like "tied together," but you cannot undo the knot no matter how hard you try
- ✓Picture two vines growing around each other so tightly they become one thick vine
- ✓It's the feeling when two ideas or feelings are so connected that you cannot think of one without the other
- ✓Sounds like "in-ex-tri-ca-bly in-ter-twined" → imagine a strong knot that ties two ropes so tightly they become one
- ✓Think of the story of Romeo and Juliet: their fates and love are so closely linked, you cannot separate one from the other
- ✓NOT like "connected" (which can be loose or easy to separate), "inextricably intertwined" means completely and strongly connected
- ✓NOT like "related" (which can be simple or weak connection), this phrase means the connection is deep and impossible to break
Try Other Words
- •Inseparably linked: cannot be separated (Use when emphasizing that two things cannot be separated)
- •Deeply connected: very strong connection (Use when focusing on strong emotional or logical links)
- •Closely intertwined: tightly linked (Use when the connection is tight but not necessarily impossible to separate)
Unboxing
- •"in-" (prefix meaning "not") + "extricably" (from "extricate" meaning "to free or untangle") → "inextricably" means "not able to be untangled or separated"
- •"intertwined" comes from "inter-" (between) + "twine" (to twist or weave) → meaning twisted or woven together
- •"meaning" is the idea or message that something expresses
- •The phrase combines these to express ideas or things that are so twisted together that their meaning cannot be separated
- •First used in English in the 20th century to describe complex connections in ideas, relationships, or situations
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of examples in your life where two ideas or feelings are inextricably intertwined? How does that affect your understanding?
•Why do you think some meanings or ideas become inextricably intertwined in stories or culture? What makes them so connected?
Fill in the blanks
1.The history and culture of the region are inextricably intertwined, making it impossible to ___ one without understanding the other.
2.When two ideas have an inextricably intertwined meaning, it means they depend on each other so strongly that they cannot be ___.
3.The phrase "inextricably intertwined meaning" is stronger than just "connected" because it shows a ___ connection.
4.In stories, characters’ lives can have an inextricably intertwined meaning, which means their fates are ___.
5.The words "inextricably intertwined" suggest a connection that is not easy to ___ or separate.
6.When discussing emotions, saying they are inextricably intertwined means the feelings are mixed so closely that it is hard to feel ___ one without the other.
7.The environment and economy in that country have an inextricably intertwined meaning, so changes in one ___ affect the other.