precious

[ˈpreʃəs]

precious Definition

  • 1of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly
  • 2very loved or cherished

Using precious: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "precious" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The ring is made of precious metals and stones.

  • Example

    Time with family is precious to me.

  • Example

    She gave me a precious gift for my birthday.

  • Example

    The precious moments we spent together will always be remembered.

precious Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for precious

Idioms Using precious

  • someone or something that is rare and highly valued

    Example

    She is a precious gem in our company, always going above and beyond her duties.

  • a special moment or experience that is cherished and remembered fondly

    Example

    The trip to Paris was a precious memory that they shared together.

  • handle with kid gloves

    to treat someone or something very delicately and carefully

    Example

    The antique vase was very fragile, so we had to handle it with kid gloves.

Phrases with precious

  • very little, almost none

    Example

    There was precious little time left to finish the project.

  • very few, almost none

    Example

    There were precious few people at the party.

  • something or someone that is very valuable and needs to be protected

    Example

    The truck was carrying precious cargo that needed to be delivered on time.

Origins of precious

from Old French 'precios', from Latin 'pretiosus', meaning 'valuable'

📌

Summary: precious in Brief

The term 'precious' [ˈpreʃəs] refers to something of great value that should not be wasted or treated carelessly. It can also describe something or someone that is very loved or cherished. Examples include 'The ring is made of precious metals and stones.' and 'Time with family is precious to me.' Phrases like 'precious little' and idioms like 'a precious gem' further emphasize the rarity and value of something.

How do native speakers use this expression?