assets: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral; common in business, finance, legal, and academic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “assets” mean?
Items of value owned by an individual or organization, especially those that can be converted into cash.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Items of value owned by an individual or organization, especially those that can be converted into cash.
In a broader sense, any useful or valuable quality, person, or thing; resources or advantages.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slight preference in UK English for 'fixed assets' over 'property, plant, and equipment (PP&E)' used in US accounting.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. In business contexts, it is a standard technical term.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in professional contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “assets” in a Sentence
to have assetsto hold assetsto own assetsto value assetsto list assetsassets of [organization]assets worth [amount]assets in [country/currency]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “assets” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- asset-backed securities
- asset-light business model
American English
- asset-backed financing
- asset-heavy industry
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company's balance sheet shows total assets exceeding liabilities.
Academic
The study analysed how intellectual assets contribute to national innovation.
Everyday
Her patience and sense of humour are her greatest assets.
Technical
The fund manager rebalanced the portfolio by divesting from underperforming assets.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “assets”
- Using as an uncountable noun (*'much assets'). Correct: 'many assets'.
- Confusing 'assets' with 'assists' (verb meaning 'helps').
- Misspelling as 'assests'.
- Using singular verb with plural 'assets' (*'The assets is...').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In its primary financial meaning, it is almost always used in the plural form 'assets' to refer to the collective items of value. The singular 'asset' is used for a single item or quality (e.g., 'Trust is an asset').
'Assets' are the items of value themselves (buildings, cash, patents). 'Capital' often refers to the financial resources available for use in producing further assets or wealth, or the net worth of a company (assets minus liabilities).
Yes, figuratively. Calling someone 'an asset to the team' means they provide great value and benefit, much like a financial asset does for a company.
Liquid assets are cash or other assets that can be quickly and easily converted into cash with minimal loss of value, such as money market holdings or publicly traded stocks.
Items of value owned by an individual or organization, especially those that can be converted into cash.
Assets is usually formal to neutral; common in business, finance, legal, and academic contexts. in register.
Assets: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæs.ets/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæs.ets/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A feather in one's cap (as a metaphorical asset)”
- “To have something going for one (to possess assets/advantages)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ASSETS as things you 'ASSESS' for their value. Or: A Smart Saver Enriches Their Savings (ASSETS).
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT (to hold assets, to freeze assets); A PERSON/QUALITY IS A FINANCIAL RESOURCE ('She is an asset to the team').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'assets' LEAST likely to be used?