noun
Common
asset
A-seht
Asset (noun) means something valuable that a person, company, or country owns or controls. Example: “The farm's land is its most valuable asset, worth far more than the machinery.”
noun
1
Something valuable that a person, company, or country owns or controls.
"The farm's land is its most valuable asset, worth far more than the machinery."
"The company's biggest asset is its skilled workforce."
"The house is listed as an asset on her balance sheet."
2
A useful quality, skill, or person that helps achieve something.
"Being able to speak three languages is a huge asset for a tour guide."
"The new striker proved to be a great asset to the team."
"Her calm manner is a real asset in a crisis."
How to use asset
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (or someone) valuable that you own or that helps you.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
valuable asset
company assets
be an asset to
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Word forms
- Plural
- assets
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The farm's land is its most valuable _____, worth far more than the machinery.
Etymology
A back-formation from "assets", from Anglo-Norman asetz ("enough"), from Old French assez.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for asset
See all rhymes for asset →Frequently asked questions
What does “asset” mean?
The word “asset” means something valuable that a person, company, or country owns or controls. In plain terms, something (or someone) valuable that you own or that helps you.
How do you pronounce “asset”?
“Asset” is pronounced A-seht (/ˈæsɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “asset” in a sentence?
Here is “asset” used in a sentence: “The company's biggest asset is its skilled workforce.”
What is the opposite of “asset”?
The opposite of “asset” — its antonyms — is liability.
What part of speech is “asset”?
“Asset” is a noun.
Where does the word “asset” come from?
The word “asset” comes from Old French. A back-formation from "assets", from Anglo-Norman asetz ("enough"), from Old French assez.
Is “asset” a common word?
“Asset” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “asset” have?
“Asset” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something valuable that a person, company, or country owns or controls.
What is the difference between an asset and a liability?
An asset is something valuable that a person, company, or country owns or controls, while a liability is something they owe, such as a debt or obligation. In simple terms, assets add to your worth and liabilities subtract from it.
What is the difference between an asset and a resource?
A resource is something available to be used, such as money, materials, or time, while an asset is something valuable that is actually owned or controlled and can bring benefit. Assets are usually counted as belonging to someone, whereas resources are simply things you can draw on.
What is the difference between 'assets' and 'property'?
'Property' usually refers to physical things you own, especially land and buildings, while 'assets' is a broader term covering anything of value, including property, money, investments, and even useful skills. All property can be an asset, but not every asset is property.
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