terribly precious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly precious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is considered very valuable or dear, often with an emotional or ironic undertone. Example: "The old family heirloom was terribly precious to her, holding memories of generations past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

(There are linguistic quips, startling flashes of anger, lines that would be terribly precious coming from a duller person).

The New York Times - Arts

He will pose for photographs only if the Bafta is in the shot, which seems terribly precious.

The Guardian - Film

"This is a terribly precious space, not only for the worshiping congregation but for the neighborhood and the school," Mr. Gorsuch said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So here we go again, with another case of a very rich guy buying something terribly inflated and wasting precious little time before asserting that somewhere down the road, he will need bailing out.

The New York Times - Sports

Back story: Four years ago, I was lucky enough (after a terribly painful disrupted adoption) to adopt the most precious 4-year-old boy on the planet.

Huffington Post

Genitals tend to be sensitive, precious body parts, and it can all go terribly wrong when a waxer makes a mistake.

Vice

Little attention is paid to the emotional inner lives of the characters — which means, in blunt terms, that you don't feel terribly much for anyone, especially for the heroine Natasha, now played by newcomer Denee Benton with style but precious little emotional depth.

Los Angeles Times

Precious, precious few.

The Economist

Terribly, terribly sad.

Independent

Terribly, terribly wrong, Dr. Diehl.

The New York Times

Just precious.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly precious" to describe something that is both highly valued and carries a strong emotional or sentimental weight. It can also be used ironically to describe something considered overly sentimental or pretentious.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly precious" too frequently, as it can come across as affected or insincere. Consider using simpler, more direct language to convey value or importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly precious" functions as a descriptive expression, combining an adverb of degree ("terribly") with an adjective ("precious") to emphasize the high value or emotional significance of something. As evidenced by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness is confirmed, showcasing its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly precious" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the value or emotional significance of something. While relatively rare, it is primarily found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. According to Ludwig, it's confirmed to be valid English, making it an acceptable choice when you want to express that something is both valuable and deeply cherished.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceedingly valuable

Replaces "terribly" with "exceedingly", emphasizing the high degree of value.

incredibly cherished

Shifts from monetary value to emotional value, using "cherished" to highlight deep affection.

extremely dear

Focuses on the emotional importance, using "dear" to indicate affection and personal significance.

highly prized

Emphasizes the rarity and desirability of something.

deeply treasured

Highlights the act of valuing and protecting something of great personal worth.

immensely significant

Focuses on the importance and impact of something, rather than its monetary or sentimental value.

remarkably special

Highlights the uniqueness and distinctiveness of something.

intensely meaningful

Emphasizes the depth of meaning and personal connection.

profoundly important

Stresses the seriousness and far-reaching consequences of something.

unusually esteemed

Highlights the high regard in which something is held by others.

FAQs

How can I use "terribly precious" in a sentence?

You can use "terribly precious" to describe objects, memories, or relationships that hold significant value or sentimental meaning. For example, "The antique locket was terribly precious to her."

What are some alternatives to "terribly precious"?

Alternatives include "exceedingly valuable", "incredibly cherished", or "extremely dear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "terribly precious" a formal or informal expression?

"Terribly precious" leans towards a neutral to slightly formal tone, suitable for writing but potentially perceived as somewhat affected in very casual conversation. Choose words according to context.

What does "terribly" modify in "terribly precious"?

In the phrase "terribly precious", "terribly" functions as an adverb modifying the adjective "precious", intensifying its meaning to indicate a high degree of value or importance.