Valuable vs. Invaluable We think of valuable as meaning "having a great deal of value," as in "valuable jewelry" or "learned a valuable lesson." Invaluable, on the other hand, means "valuable beyond estimation."

Although invaluable has a negative prefix, it is an adjective meaning extremely useful, indispensable or so valuable that a value can’t be set. Valuable implies a significant worth, usually in monetary terms. They both indicate worth but in different ways.

The word valuable is an adjective that means “having a large monetary worth,” “having admirable qualities,” or “useful.” The word invaluable is an adjective that means “beyond calculable worth” or “priceless.” Typically, the word invaluable is used as a more intense word than valuable to describe something as being incredibly valuable.

"Valuable" refers to something of great worth or cost. "Invaluable," paradoxically, means priceless or having a value too great to measure. Though both positive, "invaluable" denotes an even higher degree of value.