Synonyms for precious
ˈprɛʃ əspre·cious

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:2.7 / 3 votes

1. preciousadjective

   of high value or worth, or seemingly regarded as such

   There is precious little we can do.

   Synonyms:
   dear, valuable

2. preciousadjective

   contrived to be cute or charming

   Synonyms:
   saccharine, twee, syrupy

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.5 / 2 votes

1. precious

   Unique is alone of its kind; rare is infrequent of its kind; great poems are rare; "Paradise Lost" is unique. To say of a thing that it is rare is simply to affirm that it is now seldom found, whether previously common or not; as, a rare old book; a rare word; to call a thing scarce implies that it was at some time more plenty, as when we say food or money is scarce. A particular fruit or coin may be rare; scarce applies to demand and use, and almost always to concrete things; to speak of virtue, genius, or heroism as scarce would be somewhat ludicrous. Rare has the added sense of precious, which is sometimes, but not necessarily, blended with that above given; as, a rare gem. Extraordinary, signifying greatly beyond the ordinary, is a neutral word, capable of a high and good sense or of an invidious, opprobrious, or contemptuous signification; as, extraordinary genius; extraordinary wickedness; an extraordinary assumption of power; extraordinary antics; an extraordinary statement is incredible without overwhelming proof.

   See synonyms for GENERAL; NORMAL; USUAL.

   Synonyms:
   curious, extraordinary, incomparable, infrequent, odd, peculiar, rare, remarkable, scarce, singular, strange, uncommon, unique, unparalleled, unprecedented, unusual

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. precious

   Synonyms:
   dear, valuable, costly, cherished, treasured, beloved, estimable, of great value

   Antonyms:
   cheap, valueless, worthless, unvalued, disesteemed, unappreciated, vile

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. cherished, precious, treasured, wantedadjective

   characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

   "a cherished friend"; "children are precious"; "a treasured heirloom"; "so good to feel wanted"

   Synonyms:
   wanted, cute, treasured, valued, cherished

   Antonyms:
   unloved, worthless, unworthy, artless

2. preciousadjective

   of high worth or cost

   "diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are precious stones"

   Synonyms:
   wanted, cute, treasured, valued, cherished

   Antonyms:
   worthless, unworthy, artless, unloved

3. valued, preciousadjective

   held in great esteem for admirable qualities especially of an intrinsic nature

   "a valued friend"; "precious memories"

   Synonyms:
   wanted, cute, treasured, valued, cherished

   Antonyms:
   unloved, worthless, artless, unworthy

4. cute, preciousadverb

   obviously contrived to charm

   "an insufferably precious performance"; "a child with intolerably cute mannerisms"

   Synonyms:
   wanted, cute, treasured, cunning, valued, cherished

   Antonyms:
   unloved, artless, worthless, unworthy

5. precious, preciouslyadverb

   extremely

   "there is precious little time left"

   Synonyms:
   preciously

   Antonyms:
   unworthy, worthless, unloved, artless

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. preciousadjective

   Synonyms:
   costly, of great price

2. preciousadjective

   Synonyms:
   very valuable, of great worth, of great value

3. preciousadjective

   Synonyms:
   dear, beloved, darling, very estimable, highly esteemed or valued

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. preciousadjective

   Synonyms:
   costly, expensive, valuable, dear, beloved, adored, idolized

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "precious":

   valuable, invaluable, cherished, -precious, expensive, prized, costly, rare, valued, treasure, treasured, prestige, priceless, worthwhile, dear

Suggested Resources

1. precious

   Quotes by precious -- Explore a large variety of famous quotes made by precious on the Quotes.net website.

2. precious

   Song lyrics by precious -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by precious on the Lyrics.com website.

How to pronounce precious?

How to say precious in sign language?

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use precious in a sentence?

1. Aldous Huxley:

   The finest works of art are precious, among other reasons, because they make it possible for us to know, if only imperfectly and for a little while, what it actually feels like to think subltly and feel nobly.

2. Teresa of Ávila:

   Do not dismayed daughters, at the number of things which you have to consider before setting out on this divine journey, which is the royal road to heaven. By taking this road we gain such precious treasures that it is no wonder if the cost seems to us a high one. The time will come when we shall realize that all we have paid has been nothing at all by comparison with the greatness of our prizes.

3. Jimmy Carter:

   Anybody that has a daughter or granddaughter knows how precious that person can be, ... And anybody who is interested in the future of (their) country or city that if they deprive half of their own citizens of an equal right to an education or an honest job, then their whole community is going to suffer.

4. James Greenwood:

   Precious little lives are at stake.

5. Florian Thauvin:

   One thing is sure, Antoine's advice will be precious, antoine Griezmann knows some of their players very well.