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.
For the kids who dream of being professionals, these mentorship programs provide invaluable stage time, sometimes alongside experienced comedians, who they can network with in the green room.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
“If I move my knight here, my opponent will move their rook here, and then I’ll have to…” This is an invaluable skill for life.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
But Ian McCredie, MI6’s undercover agent in the embassy, quickly concluded that the Russian was a genuine defector with access to invaluable intelligence about KGB operations in Iran.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
These crimes threaten what many consider invaluable artefacts of historical and cultural value enjoyed by the public - although some people argue they steal "from the rich, who cares?"
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
In 1913, Alice Paul, with the invaluable aid of fellow suffragist Lucy Burns, formed the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage.
From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler
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.
