An asset is something valuable that you own or control. Your bicycle is an asset, your savings account is an asset, and even your ability to play piano well is an asset.

In business and finance, assets are resources that have economic value. A company's assets might include its buildings, equipment, cash in the bank, and even its reputation. When someone starts a business, they list their assets to show what resources they have to work with. A homeowner's biggest asset is usually their house.

But assets aren't just physical or financial. Your skills, knowledge, and good relationships are assets too. If you're great at organizing people, that's an asset when planning a group project. Your creativity is an asset when you need to solve problems in new ways. When a coach says a player is “a real asset to the team,” they mean that player brings something valuable that helps everyone succeed.

The opposite of an asset is a liability, something that costs you money or creates problems instead of adding value.