1
: of great value or high price
precious jewels
2
: highly esteemed or cherished
a precious friend
3
: excessively refined : affected entry 2
precious manners
4
: great, thoroughgoing
a precious scoundrel
preciousness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of precious in a Sentence
Adjective
That so many of China's cleverest and most creative men and women had to sell their books and their most precious carvings and family seals to keep themselves alive, while corpulent nationalists and their friends dined well in local banquet halls, gave them some right to schadenfreude.
—
Simon Winchester, The Man Who Loved China, 2008
Of course, the war pronounces on us all. Some precious glee we seek is absent, the season less substantial, less likeable.
—Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
The world is, as usual, a frightening place to enter for all save the precious few impaired by inherited security.
—David Mamet, True and False, 1997
… and, though to him those precious moments at the end of each day had symbolized the realization of his every hope, to her they had meant not a goddamn thing.
—Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997
diamonds and other precious stones
We can save precious time by taking this shortcut.
They were able to be together for only a few precious hours.
the family's most precious moments
Adverb
She had precious little to say.
There are precious few hours of sunlight left.
Simon Winchester, The Man Who Loved China, 2008
Of course, the war pronounces on us all. Some precious glee we seek is absent, the season less substantial, less likeable.
—Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
The world is, as usual, a frightening place to enter for all save the precious few impaired by inherited security.
—David Mamet, True and False, 1997
… and, though to him those precious moments at the end of each day had symbolized the realization of his every hope, to her they had meant not a goddamn thing.
—Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997
diamonds and other precious stones
We can save precious time by taking this shortcut.
They were able to be together for only a few precious hours.
the family's most precious moments
Adverb
She had precious little to say.
There are precious few hours of sunlight left.
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
For many, this includes exploring the world and to experience some of its most precious and fascinating wildlife, landscapes, cultures and ancient sites.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Choose from 12 precious watercolor flower designs for a unique, cozy gift that looks good on any body type.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 24 Jan. 2025
Still, 23 non-roster invitees will invade the Astros’ major-league clubhouse in hopes of opening eyes or winning one of the few precious Opening Day spots still available.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for precious 
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Adjective
Still, in contrast to the hardships of filming, the cast were relieved to find the creative process refreshingly collaborative, given White isn’t precious about his words.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
For many, this includes exploring the world and to experience some of its most precious and fascinating wildlife, landscapes, cultures and ancient sites.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Choose from 12 precious watercolor flower designs for a unique, cozy gift that looks good on any body type.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 24 Jan. 2025
Still, 23 non-roster invitees will invade the Astros’ major-league clubhouse in hopes of opening eyes or winning one of the few precious Opening Day spots still available.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for precious
Dictionary Entries Near precious
Cite this Entry
“Precious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precious. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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