Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

inestimable

adjective in·es·ti·ma·ble \ (ˌ)i-ˈne-stə-mə-bəl \
|Updated on: 31 May 2018

Definition of inestimable

1 : incapable of being estimated or computed
  • storms caused inestimable damage
2 : too valuable or excellent to be measured or appreciated
  • has performed an inestimable service for his country
—

inestimably

play \(ˌ)i-ˈne-stə-mə-blē\ adverb

See inestimable defined for English-language learners

See inestimable defined for kids

Examples of inestimable in a Sentence

  1. He has made inestimable contributions to our society.

  2. Einstein's inestimable contributions to science.

Recent Examples of inestimable from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inestimable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of inestimable

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin inaestimabilis, from in- + aestimabilis estimable

inestimable Synonyms

Synonyms

invaluable, priceless;

Near Antonyms

good-for-nothing, no-good, nothing, valueless, worthless;

Related Words

immeasurable, incalculable;

costly, dear, expensive, high, precious, premium, pricey (also pricy), superexpensive, valuable;

INESTIMABLE Defined for English Language Learners

inestimable

adjective

Definition of inestimable for English Language Learners

  • : too great, valuable, or excellent to be measured

Learn More about inestimable

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inestimable Spanish Central: Translation of inestimable Nglish: Translation of inestimable for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up inestimable? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

quail

play

to recoil in dread or terror

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

inestimable

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games