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 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 This level of insight is invaluable in an industry where understanding market dynamics can make the difference between success and failure. Chris Gallagher, The Arizona Republic, 2 Mar. 2024 Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who understand your journey is invaluable. Duncan Alney, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 So that was invaluable, not just because of the experiential aspect of it and meeting the guys, but also getting to spend time in those planes and learn what life on the base was like. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024 Impact: Harrington’s Spanish-language school Casa de Español has become a Sacramento staple and an invaluable resource for Spanish language and culture. Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024 While everyone has an opinion, valuing constructive feedback can be invaluable for growth and development in the music industry. Dr. Brittany Chambers, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 His background in live music touches almost every single part of the ecosystem, which gives him invaluable insight into artist relations and where our business is headed. Dave Brooks, Billboard, 28 Feb. 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 19 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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