invaluable

adjective

in·​valu·​able (ˌ)in-ˈval-yə-bəl How to pronounce invaluable (audio)
-yə-wə-bəl,
-yü(-ə)-bəl
: valuable beyond estimation : priceless
providing invaluable assistance
invaluableness noun
invaluably
(ˌ)in-ˈval-yə-blē How to pronounce invaluable (audio)
-yə-wə-blē
-yü(-ə)-blē
adverb

Did you know?

invaluable = valuable?

Many people find it confusing that the in- prefix at the beginning of invaluable apparently lacks the meaning "not" found in a number of other words, such as invalid, inarticulate, and insane. In fact, the prefix does indicate negation, but in a way that is not immediately obvious. The original (and current) meaning of invaluable is "valuable beyond estimation"; the word describes something so precious that one cannot assign a price to it. This, clearly, is the opposite of the meaning "having no value; valueless" that the word might seem to carry. Invaluable actually has been recorded in the sense "without value," but such use has been exceedingly rare and is practically nonexistent today.

Examples of invaluable in a Sentence

Unfortunately, though, Sally does not respond to lithium, which has been invaluable for many patients with manic-depressive illness … Oliver Sacks, New York Review of Books, 25 Sept. 2008
… the scrolls provide an invaluable snapshot of at least one important strain in early Judaism—though they are by no means a complete record of Jewish belief at that time. Jeremy Lott, Lingua Franca, February 2001
I stayed there only a month or so but it was an invaluable experience …  : that month's residence provided the inspiration for a novel I wrote much later, Sophie's Choice. William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, (1953) 1982
Their help has been invaluable to us. the list of likely donors proved to be invaluable to our fund-raising efforts
Recent Examples on the Web With age comes invaluable experience and perspective. Gary Trust, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024 The company is no longer actively hosting these webinars, but all of the videos are still posted online and can be invaluable for new backcountry skiers looking to get into the sport. Josh Laskin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024 The competitive yet nurturing environment, along with invaluable internships at Tracy Reese and Rodarte laid the foundation for her future. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 18 Mar. 2024 The responsibilities and tasks that fall on a stay-at-home mother are invaluable. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 Both models are invaluable for helping private businesses implement zero trust. Ravi Ithal, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Her private and public support has been invaluable and her leadership inspiring. Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 29 Feb. 2024 Individual coaching or, better still, group coaching, can be invaluable in this regard. Graham Ward, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 Although challenges may arise for those not based in the U.S., such as needing a U.S. mobile number for registration, the practical experience gained is invaluable. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'invaluable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

in- entry 1 + value, verb + -able

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of invaluable was in 1576

Dictionary Entries Near invaluable

Cite this Entry

“Invaluable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invaluable. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

invaluable

adjective
in·​valu·​able (ˈ)in-ˈval-yə(-wə)-bəl How to pronounce invaluable (audio)
: having value too great to be estimated
invaluably adverb

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