inestimable
/i.nɛs.ti.mabl/
The French word for priceless is inestimable.
The adjective inestimable is used to describe something so precious as not to be sold at any price.
Meaning: so precious as not to be sold at any price (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is built from the prefix in- (not) and estimable (capable of being estimated/valued).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective inestimable remains the same in both its masculine and feminine forms. To indicate plurality, add an s to the end of the word to form inestimables so that it agrees with the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/i.nɛs.ti.mabl/
Did you know?
- While inestimable is used for precious objects, if you want to say something is 'priceless' in the sense of being extremely funny, a French speaker would likely use à mourir de rire, which translates to 'to die of laughter'.
- The word inestimable shares a root with the English word 'estimate', but it also traces back to the Latin aestimō, which originally meant 'to value a piece of livestock'.
- While inestimable describes a value too high to measure, the French word estimer is also used in a completely different sense to mean 'to think' or 'to believe' something to be true.
Examples in context
- Ces tableaux sont inestimables.These paintings are priceless.This sentence shows how to describe paintings as being priceless using inestimable.Tatoeba #10968819 by lbdx, translation #9945586 by ddnktr
- C'est un trésor inestimable pour l'humanité.This is a priceless treasure to mankind.This sentence illustrates the use of inestimable when referring to a treasure.Tatoeba #1112299 by sacredceltic, translation #1110215 by Scott
- Régulièrement, je lisais quelque chose au sujet d'une antiquité inestimable que quelqu'un trouvait dans son grenier.Every once in a while I read about a priceless antique that someone found in their attic.This sentence demonstrates how to describe an antique as being priceless using inestimable.Tatoeba #800384 by sacredceltic, translation #744536 by darinmex
- Le soutien de mes parents est sans prix.The support of my parents is priceless.
- Sa gentillesse est réellement sans prix.His/her kindness is truly priceless.
- Ta présence ici, ça n'a pas de prix !Your presence here is priceless!
- La joie que ça lui a apportée, ça n'a pas de prix.The joy it brought her, it's priceless.
- Avoir cette opportunité, ça n'a pas de prix.Having this opportunity is priceless.
- L'effet de cette découverte est inestimable pour la science.The impact of this discovery is priceless for science.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are looking at an old family photo album.
- ChloéCette photo de famille est inestimable.This family photo is priceless.
- GabrielTu as raison, elle a une valeur inestimable.You are right, it has priceless value.
- ChloéOn ne peut pas l'échanger contre de l'argent.We cannot trade it for money.
- GabrielC'est vrai, nos souvenirs sont trop précieux.It is true, our memories are too precious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “priceless” translations and entries inestimable, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inestimable, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
