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

For many of us, there’s an intangible magic to aviation that keeps us coming back even as ticket costs rise and airport crowds swell. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 17 June 2026

And how could such an indistinct and intangible thing be cured? —Literary Hub, 17 June 2026

Noun

The only Rays player in the conversation is Evan Longoria, and that’s based more on intangibles than raw accomplishments. —John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026

In a dematerializing economy—where value has shifted from physical assets to intangibles such as data, software, and capabilities—traditional strategy frameworks no longer provide enough guidance. —Rita McGrath, Harvard Business Review, 4 June 2026

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