illiquid

adjective

il·​liq·​uid (ˌ)i(l)-ˈlik-wəd How to pronounce illiquid (audio)
1
: not being cash or readily convertible into cash
illiquid holdings
2
: deficient in liquid assets
an illiquid bank

Examples of illiquid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like other collectible alternative assets, such as fine art, rare watches and classic cars, cask investing is a high-risk, speculative, long-term bet on a largely unregulated, illiquid asset. Hugh Leask, CNBC, 9 May 2026 That strategy emphasized heavy diversification into illiquid alternative assets — such as private equity, venture capital and real estate — over traditional stocks and bonds. Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 Because real estate is illiquid, family members also need to grapple with questions like whether to double down on existing assets, to diversify into new real estate or non-real estate investments, or to rethink how ownership and management responsibilities are divided. Belinda G. Schwartz, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026 But the episode has also revived worries about a structural mismatch: opaque, illiquid loans funded by investors who still expect short-term liquidity. Christine Dobby, Bloomberg, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illiquid

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of illiquid was in 1913

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Cite this Entry

“Illiquid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illiquid. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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