intangible

1 of 2

adjective

in·​tan·​gi·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈtan-jə-bəl 

: not tangible : impalpable

education's intangible benefits

intangibility

in-ˌtan-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

intangibleness

in-ˈtan-jə-bəl-nəs 

noun

intangibly

in-ˈtan-jə-blē 

adverb

intangible

2 of 2

noun

: something intangible: such as

a

: an asset (such as goodwill) that is not corporeal

b

: an abstract quality or attribute

Synonyms of intangible

Adjective

• incorporeal

Examples of intangible in a Sentence

Adjective

Leadership is an intangible asset to a company.

electrical energy is completely intangible

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The technology is intangible, but refreshingly physical in its reliance on nuts and bolts, chips, gas turbines — for which there is currently a seven-year waiting list for the unluckiest and least-important customers — and land. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2025

Excluding certain items, including restructuring charges and costs associated with intangible assets, the company posted earnings per share of 87 cents for the quarter. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025

Noun

The reason he’s hit the ground running — literally — comes down to the intangibles. —Noah White, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025

The intangibles matter here, too. —Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French or Medieval Latin; French, from Medieval Latin intangibilis, from Latin in- + Late Latin tangibilis tangible

First Known Use

Adjective

1640, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intangible

• frangible
• tangible
• refrangible

Kids Definition

intangible

adjective

in·​tan·​gi·​ble

(ˈ)in-ˈtan-jə-bəl

1

: not capable of being touched

light is intangible

2

: not capable of being thought of as matter or substance

health's intangible benefits

intangibility

(ˌ)in-ˌtan-jə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

intangible noun

intangibleness

(ˈ)in-ˈtan-jə-bəl-nəs

noun

intangibly

-blē

adverb

Legal Definition

intangible

1 of 2 adjective

in·​tan·​gi·​ble in-ˈtan-jə-bəl 

: incapable of being touched : having no physical existence : not tangible or corporeal

intangible

2 of 2 noun

: something intangible

specifically : an asset (as goodwill or a patent right) that is not corporeal