asset

noun

as·​set ˈa-ˌset 

 also  -sət

plural assets

1

assets plural

a

: the property of a deceased person subject by law to the payment of his or her debts and legacies

b

: the entire property of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable or subject to the payment of debts

2

: advantage, resource

His wit is his chief asset.

—sometimes used euphemistically or humorously in the plural to refer to parts of a person's body (such as the breasts or buttocks) that are considered attractive

We tested RLS's eight-panel shorts on a one-day bike ride. … there was enough padding for saddle comfort, yet not so much that it exaggerated our assets.

—Vicky Lowry

Greenberg hid his athletic physique under baggy clothes … until he realized that tighter jeans and knits show off his assets better.

—Sandra Nygaard

3

a

: an item of value owned

b

assets plural : the items on a balance sheet showing the book value of property owned

4

: something useful in an effort to foil or defeat an enemy: such as

a

: a piece of military equipment

b

: spy

Synonyms

• agent
• emissary
• intelligencer
• mole
• operative
• spook
• spy
• undercover

Examples of asset in a Sentence

The state's natural assets include mountains and beautiful lakes.

rumors persisted that CIA assets were behind the coup d'état

Recent Examples on the Web

The Trump Organization has said Trump's adult children manage his assets. —Susan Heavey, USA Today, 15 May 2025

In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, only 10% of investors liquidated their entire 529 accounts, and 20% switched to less risky assets, according to an earlier survey by higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 14 May 2025

Technology The Big Story Dems hope Musk will be midterm election liability Elon Musk has become as much of a political liability as an asset for Republicans as his full-time role at the White House winds down and midterm chatter ramps up. —Julia Shapero, The Hill, 14 May 2025

In recent years, he’s turned his attention to cutting-edge assets: digital trading cards and other N.F.T.s, and now cryptocurrency and meme coins. —Robin Wright, New Yorker, 14 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from assets, singular, sufficient property to pay debts and legacies, from Anglo-French assetz, from asez enough, from Vulgar Latin *ad satis, from Latin ad to + satis enough — more at at, sad

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing asset

• asset-stripping
• working asset

Rhymes for asset

• abet
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette
• cadet

Kids Definition

asset

noun

as·​set ˈas-ˌet 

1

plural : all the property of a person, corporation, or estate that may be used in payment of debts

2

: a quality or thing that can be used to advantage

a real asset to the team

Legal Definition

asset

noun

as·​set ˈa-ˌset, -sət 

1

: the entire property of a person, business organization, or estate that is subject to the payment of debts

—used in pl. compare equity

2

: an item of property owned

— admitted asset

: an asset allowed by law to be included in determining the financial condition of an insurance company compare nonadmitted asset in this entry

— appointive asset

: an asset in an estate that is to be distributed under a power of appointment

— capital asset

: a tangible or intangible long-term asset especially that is not regularly bought or sold as part of the owner's business

specifically : any asset classified as a capital asset by law (as section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code)

— current asset

: a short-term asset (as inventory, an account receivable, or a note) that can be quickly converted into cash

— equitable asset

: an asset especially in an estate that is subject to the payment of debts only in a court of equity

— fixed asset

: a tangible asset (as a piece of equipment) that is of a permanent or long-term nature

— intangible asset

: an asset (as goodwill or a patent) that does not have physical form

— marital asset

: an asset acquired by either spouse or both spouses during a marriage

Note: Marital assets are generally subject to equitable distribution on divorce.

— net assets

: the excess of assets over liabilities

called also net worth

: admitted assets considered as a whole

— net quick assets

: the excess of quick assets over current liabilities

— nonadmitted asset

: an asset not allowed by law to be included in determining the financial condition of an insurance company because it cannot be quickly converted into cash without incurring a loss compare admitted asset in this entry

— quick assets

: cash, accounts receivable, and other current assets except inventories

— tangible asset

: an asset that has physical form and is capable of being appraised at an actual or approximate value

— wasting asset

: property (as a copyright or oil well) that will eventually expire or be used up and lose its value

Etymology

back-formation from assets, singular, sufficient property to pay debts and legacies, from Anglo-French asetz, from Old French asez enough