1
: not corporeal : having no material body or form
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a right that is based on property (such as bonds or patents) which has no intrinsic value

Examples of incorporeal in a Sentence

ghosts are supposed to be incorporeal
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.
If reason teaches that God is incorporeal, this means that God has no body; God does not physically see, nor do people see God. Randy L. Friedman, The Conversation, 16 Feb. 2024 The digital files are incorporeal. BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

Middle English incorporealle, from Anglo-French incorporel, from Latin incorporeus, from in- + corporeus corporeal

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of incorporeal was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Incorporeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incorporeal. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

incorporeal

adjective
: having no material body or form : immaterial

Legal Definition

incorporeal

adjective
: not tangible : having no material body or form
incorporeal hereditaments
an incorporeal right
compare corporeal

More from Merriam-Webster on incorporeal

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