intangible
Americanadjective
-
not tangible; incapable of being perceived by the sense of touch, as incorporeal or immaterial things; impalpable.
-
not definite or clear to the mind.
intangible arguments.
-
(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
adjective
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incapable of being perceived by touch; impalpable
-
imprecise or unclear to the mind
intangible ideas
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(of property or a business asset) saleable though not possessing intrinsic productive value
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of intangible
First recorded in 1630–40; from Medieval Latin intangibilis; see in- 3 ( def. ), tangible ( def. )
Explanation
You can't touch this word — it is intangible. You can grasp the meaning of the word in your head, but you can't close your hands around it; you'll just put fingerprints on your monitor. The Latin verb tangere means "to touch," and the 16th-century English word tangible comes from it. Something intangible can't be touched physically, but most of the time it is understandable or even felt in the heart. Sadness can't be picked up and thrown in the garbage can because it is intangible, but you can throw away the tissues wet with tears. Laughing is intangible too, but you can hold onto movies, pets, and friends that make you laugh.
Vocabulary lists containing intangible
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
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"To Build a Fire," Vocabulary from the short story
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Common Senses: Tact, Tang ("Touch")
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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.
He said estimating the value of the sapling was difficult, because of its intangible sentimental value, likening it to a piece of "stolen art".
From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026
According to Han, in the early 2000s guanniu got a boost from Xi Jinping, then the provincial party secretary, who pushed for traditions like bull wrestling to be officially listed as "intangible cultural heritage".
From Barron's • Jun. 28, 2026
The rewards you receive in return are intangible yet long-lasting.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 20, 2026
Cogeco says the competitive environment drove the write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets tied to the segment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
But then: “An intangible feeling of uneasiness made me leave my tent about 11 P.M.,”
From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong
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.
