invaluable
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived 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.
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
“This $1 million donation will be an invaluable resource to continue to help shape the futures of the young people we serve.”
From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026
In his division of NOAA, which works on improving weather forecasts, about 10 people, including the boss, left with him, taking with them invaluable knowledge and contacts.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
South Africa was now deprived of one of its greatest sons, a man who would have been invaluable in transforming the country into a new nation.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
