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.
But as the Claude-enabled translation provided by Bill Bishop’s invaluable Sinocism newsletter makes clear, something important is happening.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026
Music therapy proved invaluable in the rehab of the onetime studio musician who said he has played for the likes of Jimi Hendrix.
From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said international workers were "vital and provide an invaluable contribution to their patients and the wider community".
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
That community aspect of Fringe is invaluable to artists.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Chandresh was more than willing to let him organize the lighting, having already deemed him invaluable to the circus planning with only mild coercion.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
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.
