unobtainium

== English == === Alternative forms === unobtanium === Etymology === From unobtain(able) +‎ -ium (suffix typical of names of atomic elements), modelled after uranium and titanium. Compare also the origin of dysprosium. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /(ˌ)ʌn.ɒbˈteɪ.nɪ.əm/, /-əb-/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˌʌn.əbˈteɪ.ni.əm/ Rhymes: -eɪniəm Hyphenation: un‧ob‧tain‧i‧um === Noun === unobtainium (countable and uncountable, plural unobtainiums) (humorous) A fictional material or component which, if it existed, would enable one to easily solve a hard problem. Synonym: handwavium Coordinate term: adamantium An especially rare material or component that is outrageously expensive or otherwise almost impossible to get hold of. A high technology component that is extremely expensive. ==== Alternative forms ==== unobtanium ==== Translations ==== ==== References ==== === Further reading === unobtainium on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Michael Quinion (created December 6, 2003, last updated May 3, 2014), “Unobtainium”, in World Wide Words.