late 14c., "beyond estimation or measure, not to be computed," from Old French inestimable "priceless" (14c.) or directly from Latin inaestimabilis "invaluable, incalculable," also "not estimable, valueless," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + aestimabilis "valuable, estimable," from aestimare (see esteem (v.)). Meaning "too precious to set a value on, priceless" is attested by 1570s. Related: Inestimably; inestimability.