treasure

USAGE SUMMARY

"treasure" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to something of great value, such as money or jewelry, or to refer to something held in high esteem, such as a beloved person or experience. Example: His friendship is a real treasure; I'm so glad we found each other.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I will always treasure my opportunity to have done that with you, and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to an end".

The New York Times

So I won it, and we got the export licence – and then [culture minister Ed Vaizey] suddenly claimed it as a national treasure.

The Guardian

At the heart of the concrete and brick labyrinth of Milton Keynes, hard by Midsummer Boulevard, a certified national treasure has been identified.

The Guardian - Arts

There was also a treasure hunt for "chainsaw Barbie" around the UK.

The Guardian

Previously best known for her successful complaint to the media regulator against writer AA Gill for a homophobic jibe, the TV presenter has become a national treasure in the space of 12 months.

The Guardian

Bray said the "treasure hunt" challenge had proved very popular with the public and the gallery's visitor numbers have quadrupled over the past three months.

The Guardian - Arts

In many cases, the individuals' names and details about their death were available from records – making it a treasure trove for epidemiologists with valuable clues about how diseases spread in earlier times.

The Guardian

In the words of John Thorn, the official historian of Major League Baseball, he is "something of a national treasure.

The Guardian - Sport

At first glance I thought that meant she tore down houses and looked for buried treasure in the foundations, but it turns out to be much more unpleasantly mundane than that.

The Guardian

Open from 9am - late The floor to ceiling barrels of wine, visible through the windows of this thoroughly traditional bar will lure you into a treasure trove of fine local cuisine.

The Guardian - Travel

The Ancient Amber Routes: Travels from Riga to Byzantium by Mara Kalnins (Petergailis) charts the quest of an intrepid traveller, a dedicated and scholarly researcher into numerous fields, as she traces the origins and development of the trade in the much sought after treasure of amber.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "treasure" as a verb, ensure it aligns with the context of cherishing or valuing something deeply. As a noun, it refers to accumulated wealth or anything highly valued. Avoid using "treasure" in contexts where simpler words like "value" or "appreciate" suffice, as it can sometimes sound overly sentimental.

Common error

While "treasure" is a valid word, overuse in formal writing can detract from clarity and professionalism. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "value", "appreciate", or "consider important" when writing business reports or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The word "treasure" functions primarily as both a noun, referring to accumulated wealth or valuable possessions, and a verb, signifying the act of cherishing or highly valuing something. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a correct and usable word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "treasure" can function as both a noun and a verb, indicating something of great value or the act of cherishing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. As evidenced by the numerous examples from news sources, it is a very common term, frequently used in journalism. While appropriate in many contexts, it's best to avoid overuse in overly formal contexts where it can come across as sentimental. Remember, there are several alternatives such as "cherish", "value greatly", and "hold dear" that may better suit the needs of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cherish

Focuses on the emotional aspect of valuing something deeply.

value greatly

Emphasizes the high worth or importance attached to something.

hold dear

Suggests a personal and sentimental connection to something.

prize

Implies a formal recognition of value or excellence.

esteem

Highlights respect and admiration for someone or something.

riches

Refers specifically to material wealth or abundance.

valuables

Emphasizes the monetary or material worth of possessions.

fortune

Suggests a large amount of wealth or luck.

booty

Often associated with stolen or illegally obtained goods.

hoard

Implies a collection of valuable items hidden or stored away.

FAQs

How can I use "treasure" in a sentence?

You can use "treasure" as a noun to refer to valuable items, like "The pirates sought the buried treasure". As a verb, it means to value something greatly, as in "I will always treasure our friendship".

What are some synonyms for "treasure" as a verb?

Synonyms for "treasure" (verb) include "cherish", "value greatly", "hold dear", and "prize". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "treasure" and "riches"?

"Treasure" can refer to anything of great value, including intangible things like memories or relationships. "Riches" /s/riches, however, typically refers specifically to material wealth.

Is it correct to say someone is a "national treasure"?

Yes, calling someone a "national treasure" /s/national+treasure is a common idiom to describe a person who is greatly admired and valued by a country's population.