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.
Lead board director David Viniar, a former executive at the bank, has told others Ruemmler is invaluable, and approved her staying beyond June, according to people briefed on the discussions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
Not only did Merino return and earn his place in the Spain squad but he is proving an invaluable player in their run to the last four.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
Talking about their feelings and experiences is "invaluable for processing this entire complicated situation."
From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026
“This hands-on collaboration provides Google DeepMind with invaluable feedback and guidance from leading artists.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026
In exchange, the secretary allowed the barons to tap the navy’s invaluable strategic oil reserves.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
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.
