intangible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "intangible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that cannot be perceived through one of the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell). For example: "The idea of love is an intangible concept."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it's annoying because it's the most intangible.

The Guardian - Sport

Former students say he left an intangible imprint, too, on their lives.

The Guardian

Women bring a different dimension to company culture and smart businesses will recognise the value they add through both tangible and intangible leadership qualities.

The Guardian

The "great intangible of politics", Boulton says, "is authenticity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And, of course, it may well score highly on more intangible factors: Transparent famously struggled in the viewer-response stakes, but was still seen as a sufficiently high-quality piece of work by the suits to receive a series order, and duly went on to win two Golden Globes.

The Guardian

For me, the only fun to be had during a World Cup usually comes from watching Fifa get to act like a terrifying cross between Galactus – the intangible planet-sapping Marvel comic entity – and the spivvy-looking one from Dad's Army (Private Walker, now you ask).

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm past the age of grasping at this intangible notion of French chic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The point is that Europe is working together in a thrilling intellectual exploration that can have no conceivable commercial or political payoff but could, in some still intangible way, enlighten all humankind.

The Guardian - Opinion

These are intensely technologised sites, places where the shape of action and possibility are profoundly conditioned by what I call the "dark weather" of the network – that layer of information that swirls around the physical environment, intangible to the unaided human sensorium but possessing terrific potency.

The Guardian

@regalphis tries to capture "the intangible beauty and uniqueness of Amsterdam and its vicinity".

The Guardian

"The question is how the intangible becomes tangible," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing assets in a business context, clearly differentiate between tangible and "intangible" assets to provide a comprehensive financial picture.

Common error

Don't assume that because something is "intangible", it lacks value. "Intangible" assets like brand reputation or intellectual property can be extremely valuable to a company.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intangible" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe qualities that are not physical or easily quantifiable. Ludwig AI confirms this based on the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "intangible" is an adjective used to describe something that lacks physical substance and cannot be easily perceived by the senses. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, including news, business, and science. While it is a neutral term, careful consideration should be given to avoid confusing it with "unimportant", as "intangible" assets often hold significant value. Consider using synonyms like "immaterial" or "non-physical" to add nuance or clarity. Remember to differentiate it with tangible concepts to provide clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-physical

Replaces "intangible" by directly stating the absence of physical attributes.

immaterial

Emphasizes the lack of material substance, similar to "intangible".

incorporeal

Highlights the absence of a body or physical form, akin to "intangible".

impalpable

Stresses the inability to be touched or felt, close in meaning to "intangible".

insubstantial

Indicates a lack of substance or solidity, similar to the non-physical nature of "intangible".

ethereal

Suggests a delicate and refined quality that is not easily grasped, like "intangible".

non-concrete

Directly contrasts with "concrete", highlighting the absence of a tangible form, like "intangible".

abstract

Focuses on the conceptual nature of something, rather than its physical presence, similar to "intangible".

invisible

Emphasizes the impossibility of being seen, relating to the imperceptible nature of "intangible".

unrealized

Suggests something not yet made concrete or manifest, sharing a sense of potential with "intangible".

FAQs

How do I use "intangible" in a sentence?

You can use "intangible" to describe something that cannot be easily defined or measured, such as "The benefits of this project are mostly "intangible"".

What are some synonyms for "intangible"?

Some synonyms for "intangible" include "immaterial", "incorporeal", and "non-physical".

What is the difference between "tangible" and "intangible"?

"Tangible" refers to something that can be touched or physically perceived, while "intangible" refers to something that cannot be physically perceived but still has value or exists.

Is it correct to say "intangible assets" in business?

Yes, "intangible assets" is a common term in business to refer to non-physical assets like brand recognition, patents, and goodwill.