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Definitions

precious

[presh-uhs] / ˈprɛʃ əs /
ADJECTIVE
favorite, valued
Synonyms
WEAK
adored beloved cherished darling dear dearest idolized inestimable loved pet prized treasured
Antonyms
WEAK
cheap common defective deficient disfavored impaired inexpensive useless valueless worthless
ADJECTIVE
expensive; rare
Synonyms
WEAK
choice costly dear exquisite fine high-priced inestimable invaluable priceless prizable prized recherché rich treasurable valuable worth a king's ransom worth eyeteeth worth one's weight in gold
Antonyms
WEAK
cheap common defective deficient disfavored impaired inexpensive useless valueless worthless
ADJECTIVE
extremely sophisticated and picky
Synonyms
WEAK
affected alembicated artful artificial chichi choosy dainty delicate fastidious finicky fragile fussy la-di-da nice ostentatious overnice overrefined particular persnickety precieux pretentious refined showy stagy studied
Antonyms
WEAK
cheap common defective deficient disfavored impaired inexpensive useless valueless worthless

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Investors appear to be trimming their positions in the precious metals as they look ahead to U.S.-Iran talks this weekend.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Funds continued to flow out of precious metals in favor of energy and the U.S. dollar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

For the Gulf states that ship their precious hydrocarbons through the Strait, this is a non-starter.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The precious metal “remains highly sensitive to evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East,” Infinox’s Thadeu Dos Santos says in an email.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

With each dip and plunge of the boat, Worsley swooped the pot up in the air lest their precious hoosh go slopping into the bilges.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Vocabulary lists containing precious

"Black Panther" Lingo

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Unit 1: Telling Details

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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act IV

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!