Agency Dictionary
intangible
adjectivePronunciation: /ɪnˈtændʒəbəl/
In Portuguese: intangível
Economics & FinanceWhat does “intangible” mean?
Incapable of being perceived by touch or physical senses, yet possessing recognizable economic or conceptual worth.
Etymology
From Middle French intangible, from Medieval Latin intangibilis, "that cannot be touched", from in- ("not") and Late Latin tangibilis, "touchable", from Latin tangere, "to touch". The word is recorded in English from the 17th century. The figurative sense of something real that cannot be grasped or easily defined is later.
Usage note
In business and accounting, intangible assets are nonphysical assets such as patents, trademarks and goodwill, distinct from tangible assets like equipment and property.
Synonyms
- immaterial
- abstract
- impalpable
- elusive
- ethereal
Word family
- tangible
- tangibly
- intangibly
- intangibility
Usage examples
If a product is intangible, like an e-book, software, game, or even a Miles Morales skin on Fortnite, then it was made for a user.
Design.2 - Demystifying UX/UI Design Pt.1 Let’s try to structure the framework behind a truly deflationary and intangible resource: Bitcoin.
Concepts
- Audience-First BrandingAudience-first branding is a marketing methodology that builds brand identity around authentic human connection, radical transparency, and shared community values rather…
- Digital ProductA digital product is an intangible asset, application, or service delivered electronically over digital networks without physical packaging. It delivers utility…
- Intangible AssetsIntangible assets are non-physical economic resources that hold identifiable commercial value and generate long-term competitive benefits for organizations. They…
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
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- commoditynoun
- A basic primary good, agricultural staple, or raw material that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type.
- Corporativismnoun
- The defence of the interests of a business class or professional group above the general interest, and the culture built around it. The word also names a political and economic system organized through corporations of employers, workers and professions.
- Deficitnoun
- The amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required or expected amount, particularly when spending exceeds revenue.
- Deflationaryadjective
- Tending to cause or associated with a general and persistent decline in price levels across an economy.
- denariusnoun
- A standard silver coin in ancient Roman currency that served as the principal denomination of daily commerce and military pay.
- Emporoinoun
- Ancient Greek merchants or maritime traders who carried goods between different city-states and overseas ports.
- fiat currencynoun
- Government-issued legal tender not backed by a physical commodity such as gold or silver.
- Incentivenoun
- A motivating factor, reward, or condition that incites or encourages an individual or business to take action.
Also from these editions: terms
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- A physical or graphical control element that triggers an immediate action or command when pressed or clicked. In software interfaces, buttons communicate system affordances through visual boundaries and labels.
- Consumernoun
- An individual or group that acquires, purchases, or consumes physical or commercial goods and services for personal use. In marketing, consumers are studied for purchasing patterns and brand preferences.
- Astronautnoun
- A person trained and equipped to travel and operate beyond the atmosphere of the Earth. In space exploration, astronauts perform scientific experiments and navigate spacecraft under extreme conditions.
- Screennoun
- A flat physical display surface on an electronic device that projects visual images, interfaces, and text to a viewer. It serves as the primary visual output medium for modern personal computers and mobile phones.
- wireframenoun
- A skeletal visual guide that outlines the basic structure, hierarchy, and functionality of a user interface.
- Tangibleadjective
- Perceptible by the sense of touch or capable of being physically grasped and measured in concrete physical reality. It distinguishes concrete material products from virtual or intellectual entities.
- briefingnoun
- A concise set of instructions or background information provided to guide a project or creative assignment.
- syntheticadjective
- Produced by artificial or chemical synthesis rather than originating from natural or organic processes.
- Brainstormingnoun
- A group creativity technique aimed at finding a conclusion or novel concept through spontaneous idea generation.
- brokeragenoun
- The business, activity, or fee of a licensed broker who facilitates commercial transactions between buyers and sellers.
- catalystnoun
- A substance or factor that accelerates a chemical reaction or stimulates widespread systemic change without being consumed.
- deforestationnoun
- The purposeful permanent clearing of forested land for timber, agriculture, grazing, or urban infrastructure.
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- Information ArchitectureInformation architecture is the practice of organizing, structuring, and labeling content within digital systems and websites. It enables users to navigate complex data…
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