Definition of VALUABLE

invaluable = valuable?

Many people find it confusing that the in- prefix at the beginning of invaluable apparently lacks the meaning "not" found in a number of other words, such as invalid, inarticulate, and insane. In fact, the prefix does indicate negation, but in a way that is not immediately obvious. The original (and current) meaning of invaluable is "valuable beyond estimation"; the word describes something so precious that one cannot assign a price to it. This, clearly, is the opposite of the meaning "having no value; valueless" that the word might seem to carry. Invaluable actually has been recorded in the sense "without value," but such use has been exceedingly rare and is practically nonexistent today.

Examples of valuable in a Sentence

Adjective

The watch is extremely valuable. A lot of valuable advice can be found in this book. I learned a valuable lesson. He made many valuable contributions to the field of science. The volunteers provide a valuable service to the community. She is a valuable member of the staff. Clean air is a valuable natural resource that needs to be protected. Please don't waste my time. My time is very valuable.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Collaboration in areas like cyber-security will make the alliance more valuable to America. — The Economist, "The Western alliance is in trouble," 5 July 2018 This dataset in particular uncovered some valuable information about who Lyft’s rides are serving. — Alissa Walker, Curbed, "Lyft and Uber serve low-income communities better than taxis, says study," 2 July 2018 These missions may also provide valuable information for asteroid-mining operations, Chabot says. — Jeremy Hsu, Scientific American, "Japan’s Hayabusa2 Spacecraft Nears Its Target, the Asteroid Ryugu," 26 June 2018 Google's Android phones track things like how people walk, valuable information for measuring mental decline and some other ailments. — Mark Bergen, chicagotribune.com, "Google is training machines to predict when a patient will die," 25 June 2018 Google's Android phones track things like how people walk, valuable information for measuring mental decline and some other ailments. — Mark Bergen, ajc, "Google is training machines to predict when a patient will die," 23 June 2018 This information can give doctors and other hospital staff valuable information about which patients to spend the most time treating and which patients are the most likely to successfully recover. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "New Google AI Calculates the Odds You'll Survive a Hospital Stay," 19 June 2018 The pilot would provide valuable information on the amount of tolls necessary on the three interstates, Griebel said. — Sandra Gomez-aceves, courant.com, "Oz Griebel Pledges To Establish Tolls, Bring Back Transportation Strategy Board," 8 June 2018 One of the researchers, Rafael Irizarry of Harvard University, told the AP that the estimate is uncertain because of its limited size, but that the study still provides valuable information, including how some people died. — Time, "Officials Said 64 People Died in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria. A New Study Says the Death Toll Is Closer to 4,600," 29 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Police have also seized jewelry and valuables valued at more than 1.1 billion ringgit ($272 million) from properties linked to Najib. — Fox News, "Malaysian ex-PM Najib Razak charged with breach of trust, graft," 4 July 2018 Police have also seized jewelry and valuables valued at more than 1.1 billion ringgit ($272 million) from properties linked to Najib. — NBC News, "Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak charged after multibillion dollar graft scandal," 4 July 2018 Police have also seized jewelry and valuables valued at more than $272 million from properties linked to Najib, who has denied any wrongdoing. — Eileen Ng, The Christian Science Monitor, "Former Malaysian leader arrested for theft, money laundering," 3 July 2018 Police have also seized jewelry and valuables valued at more than 1.1 billion ringgit ($272 million) from properties linked to Najib, who has denied any wrongdoing. — Eileen Ng, USA TODAY, "Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arrested, to be charged for graft," 3 July 2018 To better safeguard your home, your life and your valuables, have a peephole installed on your front door and on the door leading to your garage. — Heloise, Houston Chronicle, "Tired of giving?," 17 June 2018 During the evacuation, more than 120,000 people were herded onto buses to escape the meltdown of the Unit 4 reactor, leaving most of their valuables and their pets behind. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Chernobyl Puppies Going Up for Adoption in the U.S.," 16 May 2018 One of the men pointed a handgun at two men in the business and demanded their personal valuables, while threatening to harm them, police reported. — Kimberly Fornek, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago men charged with armed robbery at Western Springs auto service center," 10 May 2018 The family pulled together to sew one burlap bag apiece for their belongings and Schindler’s father hid their valuables - a pocket watch, a wedding band, a necklace and earrings - in a box in their house. — Julie Gallant, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Holocaust survivor talks of her year in Auschwitz," 2 May 2018

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