illiquid

adjective

il·​liq·​uid (ˌ)i(l)-ˈlik-wəd How to pronounce illiquid (audio)
1
: not being cash or readily convertible into cash
illiquid holdings
2
: deficient in liquid assets
an illiquid bank
illiquidity
(ˌ)i(l)-ˌli-ˈkwi-də-tē How to pronounce illiquid (audio)
noun

Examples of illiquid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The filing describes the investment as illiquid and suitable only for people who can leave their money untouched for a long time. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 20 June 2026 The effect is magnified because billionaire wealth is often illiquid. — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026 Real estate is illiquid, idiosyncratic and emotionally charged. — John Walkup, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Potentially leaving the minority shareholders as an illiquid rump. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for illiquid

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of illiquid was in 1913

Rhymes for illiquid

See All Rhymes for illiquid

Browse Nearby Words

illipe butter
illiquid
illite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Illiquid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illiquid. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All