invaluable
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of invaluable
First recorded in 1570–80; in- 3 + valuable, in obsolete sense “capable of valuation”
Explanation
If you're robbed, much of what is stolen can be replaced. All you need is the cash value of what was lost. But some things––family photos, heirloom jewelry––are invaluable, meaning extremely valuable, or priceless. At first glance, you would think that invaluable means "not valuable." But to understand its meaning, you'd have to know that it was formed from the prefix in- "not" plus the verb value, plus the suffix –able "able to be." So something invaluable has such great value that its value can't be calculated.
Vocabulary lists containing invaluable
Mandela's Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Address
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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
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The Magic Fish
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And while I’ll admit that hiring an attorney to discuss money before saying “I do” isn’t exactly a romantic gesture, I’ll get into all the ways doing so can be invaluable.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026
Those traits - in and out of possession - could make Gonzalez an invaluable addition as he is handed a greater role at St James' Park.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Trump reportedly believes she is invaluable, which explains her frequent presence in his company everywhere from the Oval Office to his private helicopter, Marine One, and to the presidential jet itself.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Even more remarkable was how the AI found it—and the invaluable role Sumner played in the breakthrough despite not understanding any of the math, reports Ben Cohen.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
Master Nkrumah’s journal would be considered invaluable because of its age, almost sacred.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
