Precious Meaning

UK /ˈprɛʃəs/
US /ˈprɛʃəs/
Word Definition
precious meaning

Precious Definition & Usage

adjective

Of great value; highly esteemed, often for its rarity or beauty.

Examples

  • "This necklace is precious to me because it was a gift from my grandmother."
  • "He carries his collection of rare coins like they are precious treasures."
  • "The painting, a masterpiece from the Renaissance, is considered a precious artifact."
  • "Their wedding day was a precious memory that they cherished for years."
  • "She held the letter close to her chest, as it was the most precious thing she owned."
adjective

Used to express affection or fondness for a person or thing.

Examples

  • "You're such a precious little child."
  • "She looked at him with precious admiration in her eyes."
  • "Her precious smile made the room light up."
  • "They called their pet rabbit 'Precious' because she was so adored."
  • "Thank you for the precious gift – it means the world to me."
adjective

Fragile, delicate, and easily damaged or harmed.

Examples

  • "Handle with care, these documents are precious and can be easily torn."
  • "The antique vase is precious; it's centuries old and needs to be kept safe."
  • "The fragile ecosystems in the region are precious and need to be protected."
  • "Be careful with the glassware – it's very precious and could break."
  • "They built the museum to protect the precious artifacts from damage."

Cultural Context

The word 'precious' has evolved from its Latin roots 'preciousus', which signified something that was highly valued, rare, and esteemed. In English, it has broadened in meaning to encompass both physical value (such as gemstones or valuable objects) and emotional or personal value (such as cherished memories or relationships).

A Precious Gift

Story

A Precious Gift

In a small town, under the warm glow of a late autumn afternoon, there was a quiet family gathering. Lily, the youngest daughter, had just received an old family heirloom from her grandmother – a delicate bracelet made of gold, encrusted with tiny diamonds that glistened like stars. Her grandmother held it out, her wrinkled hands trembling slightly as she said, 'This is precious, Lily. It's been passed down for generations.' Lily’s heart swelled with love and gratitude. As she slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, she felt its weight – not just physically, but emotionally. This was a symbol of her family’s history, a precious bond that no amount of money could replace. That evening, as the family sat around the dinner table, her father remarked, 'It's amazing how something so small can be so precious.' His words resonated deeply with Lily. It wasn’t just the bracelet; it was the memories, the love, and the sacrifices that made it truly invaluable. Later, in the quiet of her room, Lily carefully placed the bracelet in a velvet box. She knew it wasn’t just an object; it was a treasure that held the story of her family’s past. But as she gazed at it, she realized something else. Her grandmother’s soft, loving gaze – that too was precious. No object could replace the moments they shared, and no amount of money could ever buy that kind of love. As the days passed, Lily came to understand that 'precious' wasn’t just about material things; it was about what you held dear, what you protected, and what you cherished in your heart.

A Precious Gift