adj
Uncommon
invaluable
ihn-VAL-yoobl
Invaluable (adj) means So valuable that its worth can't be measured; extremely useful or precious. Example: “Her advice was invaluable during the negotiations.”
adj
1
So valuable that its worth can't be measured; extremely useful or precious.
"Her advice was invaluable during the negotiations."
"The old maps proved invaluable to the researchers."
"A good torch proved invaluable when the power cut left us in darkness."
How to use invaluable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely useful or valuable — despite the "in-" prefix, it means the opposite of worthless.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "worthless" — invaluable means the opposite: too valuable to put a price on.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
invaluable help
invaluable experience
prove invaluable
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more invaluable
- Superlative
- most invaluable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her advice was _____ during the negotiations.
Etymology
From in- + valuable, on the pattern of "priceless" — literally meaning too valuable to price, not "lacking value."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for invaluable
See all rhymes for invaluable →Frequently asked questions
What does “invaluable” mean?
The word “invaluable” means so valuable that its worth can't be measured; extremely useful or precious. In plain terms, extremely useful or valuable — despite the "in-" prefix, it means the opposite of worthless.
How do you pronounce “invaluable”?
“Invaluable” is pronounced ihn-VAL-yoobl (/ɪnˈvælju(ə)bl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “invaluable” in a sentence?
Here is “invaluable” used in a sentence: “Her advice was invaluable during the negotiations.”
What part of speech is “invaluable”?
“Invaluable” is an adjective.
Is “invaluable” a common word?
“Invaluable” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between invaluable and valuable?
Invaluable means something is so valuable that its worth cannot be measured, placing it in a category beyond ordinary valuable things. Valuable simply means something has significant worth, but that worth can still be estimated or compared, whereas invaluable implies the value is effectively immeasurable or priceless.
Is invaluable the opposite of valueless?
No, despite the negative-looking prefix, invaluable does not mean lacking value; it means extremely valuable, essentially the opposite of valueless. This is a common point of confusion because 'in-' often signals negation elsewhere in English.
What kinds of things are commonly called invaluable?
Invaluable is often used for advice, experience, assistance, knowledge, and skilled people, describing help or resources so useful that no price could fairly capture their worth.
