precious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "precious" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something of great value or importance, either literally or figuratively. For example, "This painting is a precious item in my family, passed down through generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Business

Opinion

Music

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have a precious opportunity, and an important responsibility, in explaining and demonstrating how faith in Islam can be part of British identity.

The Guardian

Yet, although even the IMF is crying out for the classic Keynesian boost to infrastructure spending, there is precious little sign of a favourable response from policymakers, especially in the beleaguered eurozone.

The Guardian

Musicians need to survive, and there's precious little money around.

The Guardian - Music

But at the same time, those recent warnings from the internet pioneer Vint Cerf about storage technologies becoming obsolete and the advent of a "digital dark age" highlight a profound fear: precious things are now only a corrupted hard drive or system upgrade away from being lost, for good.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their vote is far too precious to bestow on any of the parties on offer.

The Guardian - Opinion

After recent rises, gold and silver prices slipped back, leaving Randgold Resources 204p lower at £46.27 and Mexican precious metals miner Fresnillo down 33p at 852p.

The Guardian - Business

It's not a great leap to deduce therefore that you've almost certainly been brain-zapped hundreds of times and that precious memory of going on holiday last year is entirely fictitious.

The Guardian - Film

And the more horrific the circumstances, the more needful, the more precious, the more costly is the truth".

The Guardian

Don't be precious about it – going one size bigger than usual might help avoid bulging.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With smoke still rising from the ruins of Krásna Hôrka on Monday, police announced that the most precious collections and documents had been rescued from the flames.

The Guardian - Opinion

Parker has given my life a precious new layer; a glowing aggregate of thousands of small moments of joy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing resources, consider using "precious" to emphasize scarcity and the need for conservation. For example, "precious water resources" or "precious time" highlights the importance of careful management.

Common error

Avoid using "precious" in overly sentimental or clichéd contexts, which can diminish its impact. Instead of saying "life is precious" in a general sense, specify what makes it so, such as "precious moments with family".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "precious" primarily functions as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to denote high value, importance, or affection. Ludwig's examples highlight its versatility in describing both tangible items (e.g., "precious metals") and intangible concepts (e.g., "precious moments").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Business

10%

Opinion

10%

Music

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "precious" functions as an adjective denoting significant value, either material or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. As evidenced by the analysis of various sources, including The Guardian, it appears frequently in news, lifestyle, and sports contexts. To enhance your writing, remember to use "precious" in contexts where you want to emphasize the irreplaceability and significance of something, and be mindful of avoiding clichés to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valuable

Emphasizes the monetary or material worth of something.

cherished

Highlights the emotional value and the care given to something.

treasured

Stresses the rarity and deep appreciation of something.

invaluable

Indicates something is beyond price and extremely useful.

priceless

Similar to invaluable, but often used for sentimental value.

dear

Conveys affection and personal importance.

beloved

Implies a strong emotional connection and love.

esteemed

Highlights respect and high regard.

significant

Indicates importance and impact.

important

Focuses on the relevance and necessity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "precious" in a sentence?

"Precious" can be used to describe something of great value or importance, either literally or figuratively. For example, "This necklace is a precious family heirloom" or "Time is precious, so use it wisely".

What can I say instead of "precious"?

You can use alternatives like "valuable", "cherished", or "treasured" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "precious time" or "valuable time"?

Both "precious time" and "valuable time" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Precious time" emphasizes the irreplaceable nature of time, while "valuable time" focuses on its usefulness and importance.

What's the difference between "precious" and "expensive"?

"Precious" typically refers to something of great emotional or sentimental value, whereas "expensive" refers to the high monetary cost. A "precious" memory might be priceless, while an expensive car has a high monetary value.