illiquid

adjective

il·​liq·​uid (ˌ)i(l)-ˈlik-wəd 

1

: not being cash or readily convertible into cash

illiquid holdings

2

: deficient in liquid assets

an illiquid bank

illiquidity

(ˌ)i(l)-ˌli-ˈkwi-də-tē 

noun

Examples of illiquid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Using money from depositors who had the right to withdraw their funds on demand to finance long-term, illiquid investments with an uncertain and distant payoff was a highly risky strategy—and one with echoes of what is currently creating turmoil among private credit funds today. —Fortune, 2 June 2026

Potentially leaving the minority shareholders as an illiquid rump. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 May 2026

Like other collectible alternative assets, such as fine art, rare watches and classic cars, cask investing is a high-risk, speculative, long-term bet on a largely unregulated, illiquid asset. —Hugh Leask, CNBC, 9 May 2026

That strategy emphasized heavy diversification into illiquid alternative assets — such as private equity, venture capital and real estate — over traditional stocks and bonds. —Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for illiquid

• liquid