intangible

[in-tan-juh-buhl]

adjective

1. not tangible; incapable of being perceived by the sense of touch, as incorporeal or immaterial things; impalpable.

2. not definite or clear to the mind.

   intangible arguments.

   Synonyms: fleeting, elusive, vague

3. (of an asset, such as reputation or a patent) not physical or financial, and often not measurable or transferable, but contributing to the value of a business.

noun

1. something intangible, especially an intangible asset.

   Intangibles are hard to value.

intangible

/ ɪnˈtændʒɪbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being perceived by touch; impalpable

2. imprecise or unclear to the mind

   intangible ideas

3. (of property or a business asset) saleable though not possessing intrinsic productive value

noun

1. something that is intangible

Other Word Forms

• intangibility noun
• intangibleness noun
• intangibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of intangible¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from Medieval Latin intangibilis; in- ³ ( def. ), tangible ( def. )

Example Sentences

The point is to “experience its intimacy” and mull the questions the artist raises about its intangible value as art beyond the materials used to make it, he said.

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It seemed too intangible to measure, too messy to model.

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Throughout the series, the palace tasks Yeon with crafting dishes to convey various intangible themes – often with her own life or the country’s future on the line.

Read more on Salon

Sonic Industrialism: Sound elements are more popular than ever, and this mode blends intangible noise with the hard-edge materials of industry.

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“The show feels very anti-algorithm; it’s not treating the audience like they’re stupid. There’s so much intangible inexplicable behavior between people that feels exactly like what a family is.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ethereal 
• unreal