Intangible
/ɪnˈtændʒəbəl/
Definitions
Not capable of being perceived by the senses, especially the sense of touch; not material.
/ɪnˈtændʒəbəl/
Unable to be touched or grasped; not having physical presence.
The value of the company included intangible assets like brand recognition and reputation.
💡 Simply: Imagine trying to catch a feeling, like happiness. You can't hold it in your hand, right? That's intangible! Like the feeling you get when you win a game - it's real, but you can't touch it.
👶 For kids: Something you can't touch or hold, like a dream or a secret.
More Examples
The artist tried to capture the intangible beauty of the sunset in his painting.
The success of the project relied heavily on intangible factors such as teamwork and communication.
How It's Used
"Goodwill is an intangible asset of a company."
"Love is an intangible concept often discussed by philosophers."
"The effects of trauma can often be intangible, leaving people with internal scars."
From Late Latin *intangibilis*, from *in-* (not) + *tangere* (to touch). The word's meaning evolved from 'not able to be touched' to encompass things not readily grasped or defined.
The word 'intangible' started appearing in the early 17th century, initially referring strictly to that which cannot be touched.
Memory tip
Think of an 'in' (not) a 'tangible' (touchable) thing.
Word Origin
"not able to be touched"