Asset
/ˈæsɛt/noun
Something valuable owned by a person or organization.
Did you know?In early English law, an asset was literally property available to satisfy a debt, which is why the word’s history is tied to accounting, obligation, and survival rather than glamour.
Etymological Timeline
14th Century
Anglo-French
assetz
“enough; sufficient”
14th Century
Law French
assetz
“enough to satisfy a claim or debt”
14th Century
Middle English
asset
“sufficient property to cover liabilities”
16th–17th Century
English
asset
“property or resources available for use”
Modern English
English
asset
“something valuable owned by a person or organization”
Explore more surprising origins