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.
The left-handed Halliday caused problems for the hosts, who gave away 18 runs in wides, although Bell again proved her invaluable presence as attack leader as the ODI side begins its transition.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
That’s the core of the team going forward and the playoff experience they got this spring will be invaluable.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
For Hanse, that trove has been an invaluable resource when he has worked on courses such as Merion and Aronimink.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
Hadlow’s novel was invaluable to Bruccoleri, who appears in nearly every scene of the show.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
“I’m sure that you’ll be of invaluable help to our cause.”
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
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.
