intangible

1 of 2

adjective

in·​tan·​gi·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈtan-jə-bəl 

: not tangible : impalpable

education's intangible benefits

intangibility

in-ˌtan-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

intangibleness

in-ˈtan-jə-bəl-nəs 

noun

intangibly

in-ˈtan-jə-blē 

adverb

intangible

2 of 2

noun

: something intangible: such as

a

: an asset (such as goodwill) that is not corporeal

b

: an abstract quality or attribute

Synonyms

Adjective

• impalpable

Examples of intangible in a Sentence

Adjective

Leadership is an intangible asset to a company.

electrical energy is completely intangible

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Operating expenses for the year were $4.5 million, down from $10.7 million in the previous year, which included a $4.9 million intangible asset impairment. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 13 Dec. 2024

This approach ensures a qualitative layer of evaluation, allowing the committee to weigh intangible factors like momentum or key injuries. —Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Noun

Her research is focused on corporate governance, ESG, international accounting, and intangibles. —Stefano Bonini, luminita Enache, mascia Ferrari, david Gaddis Ross, kose John, Harvard Business Review, 11 Dec. 2024

In Buffett’s view, the real value of consumer monopolies is in their intangibles—for instance, brand-name loyalty, regulatory licenses and patents. —Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French or Medieval Latin; French, from Medieval Latin intangibilis, from Latin in- + Late Latin tangibilis tangible

First Known Use

Adjective

1640, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

intangible

adjective

in·​tan·​gi·​ble

(ˈ)in-ˈtan-jə-bəl

1

: not capable of being touched

light is intangible

2

: not capable of being thought of as matter or substance

health's intangible benefits

intangibility

(ˌ)in-ˌtan-jə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

intangible noun

intangibleness

(ˈ)in-ˈtan-jə-bəl-nəs

noun

intangibly

-blē

adverb

Legal Definition

intangible

1 of 2 adjective

in·​tan·​gi·​ble in-ˈtan-jə-bəl 

: incapable of being touched : having no physical existence : not tangible or corporeal

intangible

2 of 2 noun

: something intangible

specifically : an asset (as goodwill or a patent right) that is not corporeal