priceless

American  

[prahys-lis] / ˈpraɪs lɪs /

adjective

1. having a value beyond all price; invaluable.

   a priceless artwork.

   Synonyms:

   incomparable, costly, precious, irreplaceable

2. delightfully amusing or absurd.

   a priceless anecdote.

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priceless British  

/ ˈpraɪslɪs /

adjective

1. of inestimable worth; beyond valuation; invaluable

2. informal extremely amusing or ridiculous

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Other Word Forms

• pricelessly adverb
• pricelessness noun

Etymology

Origin of priceless

First recorded in 1905–10; price + -less

Explanation

Something priceless is incredibly valuable. It's so valuable that no one would ever want to sell it or be able to buy it. Since a price is what it costs to buy something, priceless things cannot be bought; they're too valuable. People sometimes talk about "priceless treasures," which may actually have a price, though only a millionaire could afford buying them. More often, priceless things are things without a monetary value — like friendship, love, honor, etc. Parents call their children priceless, because they value them so much and obviously would never sell them.

Example Sentences

Goldin’s stories of the ’80s art scene are as priceless as the photographs and slideshows that pepper footage of her P.A.I.N. protests.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

“Stories like that are just priceless to me,” Releford says.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

That’s the most priceless experience, and probably makes it worth it in the end.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

In some respects he is a flawed keeper, especially under crosses, but has that uncanny, priceless habit of making stunning match-winning saves that makes up for other failings.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

Isa cradled the business card as if it were a priceless gift.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser

Related Words

• cherished
• collectible
• expensive
• incalculable
• invaluable
• prized
• rare
• treasured
• valuable