Precious — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈpre-shəs/ pre·cious

Meaning & Definition of Precious

Precious (adjective)

  1. of great value or high price
  2. highly esteemed or cherished
  3. excessively refined, affected

Precious (adverb)

  1. very, extremely

Precious (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. commanding a large price

    "diamonds and other precious stones"

    similar: big-ticket, costly, dear, expensive, extravagant, high, high-end, high-ticket, premium, priceless, pricey, spendy (chiefly Northwest), ultraexpensive, valuable
    related: exorbitant, overpriced, prohibitive, sky-high, steep, stiff, unaffordable, uneconomic, unreasonable, inestimable, invaluable, deluxe, luxurious, sumptuous
    opposite: cheap, inexpensive
    near: moderate, reasonable, valueless, worthless, discounted

  2. granted special treatment or attention

    "parents who refuse to hear the slightest criticism of their precious children"

    similar: beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, special, sweet, white-headed
    related: admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered, prized, treasured, preferred
    opposite: unbeloved
    near: abhorred, abominated, despised, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite, abandoned, forgotten, ignored, alienated, estranged

  3. having qualities that tend to make one loved

    "a precious friend for whom I would do anything"

    similar: adorable, darling, dear, disarming, endearing, lovable, lovesome, sweet, winning, winsome
    related: embraceable, kissable, beloved, cherished, favored, favorite, loved, treasured, attractive, beautiful, desirable, lovely, alluring, appealing, captivating, charming, enchanting, engaging, entrancing, fascinating, fetching, admirable, likable, reputable, respectable, affable, agreeable, cheerful, cordial, friendly, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, kind, nice, pleasant, delightful, pleasing, well-disposed
    opposite: abhorrent, abominable, detestable, hateful, loathsome, odious, unlovable
    near: unloved, contemptible, disagreeable, disgusting, distasteful, heinous, horrible, lousy, nasty, offensive, unlikable, unpleasant, wretched, frightful, grotesque, hideous, ill-favored, monstrous, ogreish, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, ugly, unattractive, unsightly, vile, appalling, awful, dreadful, foul, horrendous, horrid, nauseating, noisome, obnoxious, obscene, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Precious

The most common words with a similar meaning to Precious:

Chiefly Northwest: spendy
big-ticket, costly, dear, expensive, extravagant, high, high-end, high-ticket, premium, priceless, pricey, ultraexpensive, valuable, beloved, cherished, darling, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, special, sweet, white-headed, adorable, disarming, endearing, lovable, lovesome, winning, winsome

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Precious

Words with the opposite meaning of Precious:

cheap, inexpensive, unbeloved, abhorrent, abominable, detestable, hateful, loathsome, odious, unlovable

Related Words for Precious

exorbitant, overpriced, prohibitive, sky-high, steep, stiff, unaffordable, uneconomic, unreasonable, inestimable, invaluable, deluxe, luxurious, sumptuous, admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered, prized, treasured, preferred, embraceable, kissable, attractive, beautiful, desirable, lovely, alluring

Near Antonyms of Precious

moderate, reasonable, valueless, worthless, discounted, abhorred, abominated, despised, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite, abandoned, forgotten, ignored, alienated, estranged, unloved, contemptible, disagreeable, disgusting, distasteful, heinous, horrible, lousy, nasty

Word Forms of Precious

Derived words: preciousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Precious

Middle English, from Anglo-French precios, from Latin pretiosus, from pretium price price:1

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Precious

Frequently Asked Questions about Precious

What does "Precious" mean?

"Precious" means of great value or high price. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: of great value or high price. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Precious"?

Other words for "Precious" include big-ticket, costly, dear, expensive, extravagant, high, high-end and high-ticket. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Precious" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Precious"?

There are 90 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Precious". Common alternatives include big-ticket, costly, dear, expensive, extravagant, high, high-end, high-ticket, premium and priceless.

What is the opposite of "Precious"?

Antonyms of "Precious" include cheap, inexpensive, unbeloved, abhorrent, abominable, detestable, hateful and loathsome. Near antonyms include moderate, reasonable, valueless and worthless.

How do you use "Precious" in a sentence?

Examples of "Precious" in a sentence: "diamonds and other precious stones"; "parents who refuse to hear the slightest criticism of their precious children"; "a precious friend for whom I would do anything".

Is "Precious" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Precious" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Precious" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Precious" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Precious"?

"Precious" is pronounced /ˈpre-shəs/ and divided into syllables as pre·cious.