Immaculate

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Immaculate

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

ih-MAK-yoo-lut  /ɪˈmakjʊlət/

Definition

Perfectly clean, neat, or tidy; free from flaws or mistakes; in Catholic theology, free from original sin — specifically in the Immaculate Conception, the doctrine that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin.

Plain meaning

Immaculate means perfectly clean or spotless — an immaculate house has not a speck of dust; an immaculate performance has not a single error. The word comes from the Catholic theological concept of the Immaculate Conception, which refers to the doctrine that Mary was free from original sin from the moment of her own conception. In everyday use, immaculate is a strong word for flawlessly clean or perfect.

Register

Neutral to slightly elevated. Immaculate is a strong word — stronger than clean or neat. It implies not merely good but perfect, without any blemish. Used in everyday English for appearances (immaculate grooming), performance (immaculate technique), and condition (immaculate vintage car).