intangibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "intangibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that cannot be touched, held, or seen, and is usually abstract or difficult to define. Example sentence: The intangibility of a concept like love can be hard to explain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It will be a wonder if an agreement can be struck to delay some of the austerity scheduled for year's end, to limit the fiscal blow to less than the 4% of GDP now aimed straight at the economy's head.The problem with infrastructure spending is the intangibility of its effects.

The Economist

However restricted by fact, she argued, biographers should yoke truth with imagination, "granite-like solidity" with "rainbow-like intangibility".

Encyclopedia Britannica

For another, I'm not sure if it really is all about truth: Is a 3-year-old capable of understanding intangibility?

The New York Times

Inspired by the isolated, spiritualized landscapes of the German Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, these works are consistent with Feininger's conviction that painting was "a path to the intangibility of the divine".

The New York Times - Arts

But at the same time it flies in the face of the must-make-teammates-better M.V.P. arguments we always hear and adds a bit of intangibility to his M.V.P. campaign.

The New York Times

Songs have become, for lack of a better word, trivial: not through any less effort from the best musicians, but through the unexpected combination of a nearly infinite supply, constant availability, suboptimum sound quality and the intangibility I've always thought I would welcome.

The New York Times

Loving an entity is hard, given the intangibility of the thing, but I love the bland Brussels institutions that gave my generation a peace denied its forbears — all those young men engraved in stone and granite on melancholy town squares across Europe.

The New York Times

It's an epic meditation on intangibility.

The Guardian - Music

It also requests the judge orders the Culture Ministry to "adopt suitable measures to protect these vulnerable groups which implies respecting the intangibility of their territory and to ensure that extractive activities by third parties are prohibited in the reserve".

The Guardian

Another important difference is the relative intangibility of data surveillance.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yet these paintings embody dear memories, bring precious intangibilities to life.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts, use "intangibility" to emphasize the lack of physical presence or concrete qualities. This is especially useful in fields like economics, philosophy, and art, where non-material aspects are central.

Common error

Avoid using "intangibility" when you mean "invisibility". "Intangibility" refers to the lack of physical substance or a concrete form, while "invisibility" means unable to be seen. For example, say "the intangibility of digital assets" rather than "the invisibility of digital assets".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intangibility" is that of a noun, representing the quality or state of being intangible. Ludwig confirms that the word is correct and usable in written English, highlighting its role in describing abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Arts

19%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intangibility" functions as a noun denoting the quality of lacking physical substance, with Ludwig confirming its correct usage. It's commonly employed to describe abstract concepts across various fields, including arts, news media, and encyclopedias. While the term maintains a neutral to formal tone, it's crucial to avoid confusion with similar terms like "invisibility". Key authoritative sources frequently using this term are "The New York Times", "The Guardian", and "The New Yorker". Understanding the nuances of "intangibility" allows for more precise and effective communication, particularly when discussing abstract or non-material subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of tangibility

Directly negates the quality of being tangible.

immateriality

Focuses on the lack of physical substance.

non-physicality

Directly contrasts with the physical realm.

abstractness

Highlights the conceptual nature rather than a tangible reality.

impalpability

Stresses the inability to be touched or felt.

insubstantiality

Emphasizes the lack of substance or weight.

ethereality

Emphasizes a delicate, almost otherworldly quality.

incorporeality

Highlights the absence of a physical body or form.

abstract nature

Highlights the abstract properties rather than tangible ones.

imperceptibility

Focuses on the difficulty or impossibility of being perceived.

FAQs

How can I use "intangibility" in a sentence?

You can use "intangibility" to describe something that lacks a physical presence or is difficult to define. For example: "The main challenge in marketing services is the "intangibility of the product".

What is a good synonym for "intangibility"?

A good synonym for "intangibility" is "immateriality", which also refers to the lack of physical substance or form.

How does "intangibility" relate to the concept of value?

"Intangibility" often makes it harder to assess the value of something, especially in economics or business. Unlike tangible goods, intangible assets like brand reputation or intellectual property are difficult to quantify, despite their significant value.

What's the difference between "intangibility" and "invisibility"?

"Intangibility" refers to the inability to be touched or grasped physically, while "invisibility" refers to the inability to be seen. A ghost might be described as both, but love is intangible without being invisible.