Asset — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈa-ˌset/ as·set

Meaning & Definition of Asset

Asset (noun)

  1. the property of a deceased person subject by law to the payment of the person's debts and legacies
  2. the entire property of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable or subject to the payment of debts
  3. advantage, resource —sometimes used euphemistically or humorously in the plural to refer to parts of a person's body (such as the breasts or buttocks) that are considered attractive

Asset (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country

    "rumors persisted that CIA assets were behind the coup d'état"

    similar: agent, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, undercover, secret agent, undercover agent
    related: courier, counterspy, double agent, sleeper, infiltrator, informer, stool pigeon, spymaster, superspy

  2. a thing that helps

    "the team's strong pitching staff has become a real asset in its pursuit of a pennant"

    similar: advantage, aid, benefit, boon, help
    related: hand, lift, pick-me-up, support, sustenance, blessing, godsend, windfall, recourse, refuge, resort, resource
    opposite: disadvantage, drawback, encumbrance, hindrance, impediment, minus
    near: constraint, inhibitor, liability, obstacle, obstruction, restraint, stranglehold

  3. the total of one's money and property

    "as a result of the booming economy, the college's assets grew dramatically over the course of the decade"

    similar: capital, fortune, means, opulence, riches, substance, wealth, wherewithal, worth
    related: belongings, chattels, effects, holdings, paraphernalia, possessions, things, bankroll, deep pockets, finances, funds, money, wallet, abundance, affluence, prosperity, success, treasure, valuables, accession, acquisition, personal property, personalty, property, nest egg, reserve, resources, savings, treasury
    near: debts, liabilities, indebtedness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Asset

The most common words with a similar meaning to Asset:

agent, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, undercover, advantage, aid, benefit, boon, help, capital, fortune, means, opulence, riches, substance, wealth, wherewithal, worth, secret agent, undercover agent

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Asset

Words with the opposite meaning of Asset:

disadvantage, drawback, encumbrance, hindrance, impediment, minus

Related Words for Asset

courier, counterspy, double agent, sleeper, infiltrator, informer, stool pigeon, spymaster, superspy, hand, lift, pick-me-up, support, sustenance, blessing, godsend, windfall, recourse, refuge, resort, resource, belongings, chattels, effects, holdings, paraphernalia, possessions, things, bankroll, deep pockets

Near Antonyms of Asset

constraint, inhibitor, liability, obstacle, obstruction, restraint, stranglehold, debts, liabilities, indebtedness

Word Forms of Asset

Inflections: assets

Origin & Etymology of Asset

back-formation from assets, singular, sufficient property to pay debts and legacies, from Anglo-French assetz, from asez enough, from Vulgar Latin *ad satis, from Latin ad to + satis enough at, sad

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Asset

Words & Phrases Containing Asset

asset-stripping, working asset

Frequently Asked Questions about Asset

What does "Asset" mean?

"Asset" means the property of a deceased person subject by law to the payment of the person's debts and legacies. As a noun, it is defined as: the property of a deceased person subject by law to the payment of the person's debts and legacies. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Asset"?

Other words for "Asset" include agent, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy and undercover. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Asset" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Asset"?

There are 74 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Asset". Common alternatives include agent, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, undercover, advantage and aid.

What is the opposite of "Asset"?

Antonyms of "Asset" include disadvantage, drawback, encumbrance, hindrance, impediment and minus. Near antonyms include constraint, inhibitor, liability and obstacle.

How do you use "Asset" in a sentence?

Examples of "Asset" in a sentence: "rumors persisted that CIA assets were behind the coup d'état"; "the team's strong pitching staff has become a real asset in its pursuit of a pennant"; "as a result of the booming economy, the college's assets grew dramatically over the course of the decade".

Is "Asset" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Asset" is a noun.

Is "Asset" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Asset" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Asset"?

"Asset" is pronounced /ˈa-ˌset/ and divided into syllables as as·set.