Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

precious

[ presh-uhs ]

adjective

  1. of high price or great value; very valuable or costly:

    precious metals.

  2. highly esteemed for some spiritual, nonmaterial, or moral quality:

    precious memories.

  3. dear; beloved:

    a precious child.

    Synonyms:

  4. affectedly or excessively delicate, refined, or nice:

    precious manners.

  5. flagrant; gross:

    a precious fool.



noun

  1. a dearly beloved person; darling.

adverb

  1. extremely; very:

    She wastes precious little time.

precious

/ ˈɛʃə /

adjective

  1. beloved; dear; cherished
  2. very costly or valuable
  3. held in high esteem, esp in moral or spiritual matters
  4. very fastidious or affected, as in speech, manners, etc
  5. informal.
    worthless

    you and your precious ideas!

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. informal.
    (intensifier)

    there's precious little left

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈ𳦾dzܲԱ, noun
  • ˈ𳦾dzܲ, adverb
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • cdzܲ· adverb
  • cdzܲ·Ա noun
  • ԴDz·cdzܲ adjective
  • non·cdzܲ· adverb
  • non·cdzܲ·Ա noun
  • ܲ·cdzܲ adjective
  • un·cdzܲ· adverb
  • un·cdzܲ·Ա noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of precious1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English preciose (from Old French precios ), from Latin پōܲ “costly, valuable,” equivalent to preti(um) “price, value, worth” ( price ) + -ōܲ -ous
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of precious1

C13: from Old French precios, from Latin پōܲ valuable, from pretium price, value
Discover More

Synonym Study

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Sudanese officials say precious artefacts from the National Museum were taken away to be sold.

From

Ossai's British wife said Lucy "is like that precious gift that I desired so much".

From

"We will continue to ensure that our ticket holders and visitors have the best experience possible, while ensuring that one of the country's most precious golfing assets is available for the public too."

From

Mr McCloy said he understands more security measures may be needed but he is concerned about the precious time which could be lost.

From

For weeks, they’ve been scouring their homes and cracking open their safes to retrieve vintage necklaces, family heirlooms and other expensive pieces containing the precious metal that can be melted for cash.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


preciosityprecious coral