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

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

Public markets will eventually price in audience loyalty as a key intangible asset. —Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

In Trump’s progression from brick-and-mortar developer to hawker of intangible projections of himself, his N.F.T.s were another milestone. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025

Noun

The news has produced plenty of debate on social media, with one side insisting the Paramount needs to pay its own way, and others noting that, while budgets need to be adhered to, there are intangibles surrounding some things that go beyond a business ledger. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025

Based on pedigree, size, skills, and intangibles, no fighter in the world is better positioned to challenge Shields at heavyweight—or potentially even beat her. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 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