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- A: The adjective “incredible” meant not credible when it entered English in the early 1400s, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. And the adverb “incredibly” meant in an incredible manner—that is, not credibly—when it showed up around 1500.
www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2013/01/incredible.html
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Incredible was initially so strong it did mean 'not credible.' Now it's weak, and just means really really good. The Latin roots of incredible translate as 'not believable,' and this word was originally used to mean 'too extraordinary to be believed.'
Jan 24, 2013 · A: The adjective “incredible” meant not credible when it entered English in the early 1400s, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. And the adverb “incredibly” meant in an incredible manner—that is, not credibly—when it showed up around 1500.
Both words have shorter versions that came before them; incredulous was preceded in use by credulous (“ready to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence”), as incredible was by credible (“offering reasonable grounds for being believed”).
Incredible means difficult to believe. Incredulous means unwilling or unable to believe. So something that is difficult to believe is incredible, and if you have trouble believing something, you are incredulous.
May 21, 2020 · Is incredible a gradable or non-gradable adjective? I noticed many books in Google state its comparative and superlative forms more incredible and most incredible, so according to this view = gradable. On the other hand, I noticed in two good sites they used absolutely before it.
Oct 1, 2016 · "Incredible" means the opposite -- unbelievable. While it could be used as you suggest, I suspect that's not quite catching the meaning you desire. Something like "illogical" may be a better choice.
In an incredible manner or degree, in a way or to an extent that is impossible or very difficult to believe; to an extent that one would not have… incredibleness , n. 1611– Incredibility.
