incorrigible

Everyday

1. Having bad habits or faults that cannot be changed or corrected: «an incorrigible liar». tree →
2. (playful) Always doing something naughty or silly that people half like: «You're incorrigible!» tree →

In the lessons

In The Wind in the Willows Toad is incorrigible: his friends try again and again to cure him of his craze for motor cars, but he goes back to it. Used for cheeky characters, naughty pets and old habits. Often said with a smile.

Examples

• Toad was incorrigible; he always went back to motor cars. tree →
• My puppy is an incorrigible thief of socks. tree →
• Grandad is an incorrigible joker. tree →
• «You're incorrigible!» laughed Mum when I took another biscuit. tree →
• The teacher called him an incorrigible chatterbox. tree →
• She is an incorrigible optimist. tree →
• This noise roused the giant, who rushed from his cave, crying: “You incorrigible villain, are you come here to disturb my rest? tree →

Note

From in- (not) + corrigible (able to be corrected). Adverb: incorrigibly. Spelling: double r.