intangible

American  

[in-tan-juh-buhl] / ɪnˈtæn dʒə bəl /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of intangible

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

Example Sentences

There’s a romanticism to living a life entirely in service of an intangible step beyond, but waiting for some vague, unpromised forever is a waste of what precious time we have now.

From Salon

Some of the biggest obstacles facing Germany’s military planners are intangible: ponderous procurement rules, onerous data protection laws, and other regulations forged in a more peaceful era.

From The Wall Street Journal

At first glance, it seems like an illusion created from something intangible, such as beams of light.

From Washington Post

If prison made him more disciplined, he understands that what elevated him was something intangible and otherworldly.

From Los Angeles Times

“But he has a lot of intangibles that go into winning.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ethereal
• unreal