illiquid

[ ih-lik-wid ]

adjective

1. not readily convertible into cash; not liquid.

illiquid

/ ɪˈlɪkwɪd /

adjective

1. (of an asset) not easily convertible into cash
2. (of an enterprise, organization, etc) deficient in liquid assets

Other Words From

• illi·quidi·ty noun
• il·liquid·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of illiquid¹

First recorded in 1685–95; il- ² + liquid

Example Sentences

Right now, Trump’s $2 billion-and-change stake is just that—an illiquid stake in a company that makes negative money and relies wholly on public perception to retain its paper value.

From Slate

Yet in reality, these investors have an illiquid investment that is hard to spin into gold.

From New York Times

Rubin agreed that the loan would not prevent James from trying to collect, but her office has “no interest” in assuming the risk of Trump’s illiquid assets, as the A.G.’s office said in its brief.

From Salon

“I’ve represented and prosecuted large real estate developers, and it’s not uncommon for them to be highly illiquid,” tweeted former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti.

From Salon

The price of these illiquid instruments matches that typically paid to insure against default by a country on the cusp of being downgraded to a junk credit rating.

From Reuters