intangible
adj.describing something that you cannot touch or hold, like a feeling, an idea, or a brand's reputation. It is real and has value, but it does not have a physical body.
adj.lacking physical substance or a tangible form; incapable of being perceived by touch. Often describes abstract assets such as goodwill, intellectual property, or emotional states.
“A company's reputation is an intangible asset.”
“While the salary is important, the intangible benefits like a supportive team culture are what keep employees happy.”
“The legal dispute centered on intangible property rights, specifically whether the digital algorithm could be protected under existing patent laws designed for physical inventions.”
Often used to modify nouns like 'asset', 'benefit', or 'quality'.
“When its ethical lapses are brought to light, the company undergoes reputational damage, essentially auto-cannibalizing some of its intangible capital.”
“Additionally, projects offering physical products, as opposed to intangible services, confronted tougher economic trade-offs resulting from e-commitment.”
Borrowed from Middle French intangible, from Medieval Latin intangibilis, from Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tango.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.