precious
gb/pɹˈɛʃəs/ us/pɹˈɛʃəs/
B1
English
~ 6400
értékes, nemes, drága, becses, szinte semmi, alig néhány, finomkodó, kényes, mesterkélt, kincsem, drágám, kincs
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[precious] [object]
The museum displays several precious artifacts from the ancient kingdom.
A múzeumban több, az ősi királyságból származó értékes műtárgy látható.
She locked her precious jewelry in the safe before leaving.
Indulás előtt bezárta értékes ékszereit a széfbe.
Water is becoming a more and more precious resource in this region.
The ring was made of precious metal and set with a tiny diamond.
Smugglers were caught trying to move precious stones across the border.
Learner examples
Gold and silver are precious metals.
Az arany és az ezüst nemesfémek.
He keeps his precious watch in a special box.
Értékes óráját egy külön dobozban őrzi.
They sell many precious stones in that shop.
This painting is very precious to the family.
Tourists are warned not to wear precious jewelry on the street.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "precious" for any object they like, even when they only mean it is nice or attractive. Use this sense of "precious" mainly when something is expensive, rare, or has clear money value. For emotional value, use the "very loved" sense instead.
Meaning
very valuable or costly
Collocations
precious metals
|precious stones
|precious gems
|precious artwork
|precious resource
|precious antique
Synonyms
valuable (General word for something worth a lot of money or very useful; slightly less strong and emotional than "precious".)
Antonyms
worthless (Describes something that has no money value or use, the direct opposite of financially or materially precious.)
Themes
money
|objects
|trade
|business
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Worth a lot of money, often because it is rare or special.
Having great monetary value; worth a lot of money, often because something is rare or finely made.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[precious] [person/thing]
These photos are precious reminders of my grandparents.
Ezek a fotók drága emlékek a nagyszüleimről.
She spends every precious moment she can with her children.
Amikor csak teheti, minden értékes pillanatot a gyerekeivel tölt.
His friendship is precious to me after everything we have been through.
The diary contains her most precious thoughts and dreams.
They lost many precious memories when the computer crashed.
Learner examples
My grandmother is very precious to me.
A nagymamám nagyon drága nekem.
These old letters are precious because they are from my father.
Ezek a régi levelek nagyon drágák nekem, mert az apámtól kaptam őket.
Time with good friends is precious.
That toy is precious to the little boy.
This ring is precious because it was my mother's ring.
Common mistake:
Learners may mix this sense with the "expensive" meaning and say things like "My family is very expensive to me." Use "precious" or "dear" for emotional value, and words like "expensive" or "costly" for money value.
Meaning
very loved and cherished
Collocations
precious memory
|precious moments
|precious family
|precious child
|precious friendship
|precious gift
Synonyms
cherished (Emphasizes deep, long-lasting love and care; slightly more formal and emotional than "precious".)
Antonyms
unimportant (Describes something that does not matter much to someone, the opposite of being emotionally precious.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very important and loved by someone.
Loved and valued very highly on a personal or emotional level; deeply important to someone.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[precious] [time/resource/opportunity]
We do not have much precious time before the deadline.
Nincs sok értékes időnk a határidőig.
She refused to waste her precious vacation days on extra work.
Nem volt hajlandó értékes szabadságnapjait többletmunkára pazarolni.
The charity works to protect precious natural resources.
He spent his precious few hours at home playing with his kids.
Don't waste precious opportunities by being afraid to try.
Learner examples
Do not waste your precious time on this game.
Ne pazarold az értékes idődet erre a játékra.
We have only a few precious minutes before the train comes.
Már csak néhány értékes percünk van, mielőtt megjön a vonat.
Clean water is a precious resource.
She used her precious holiday to visit her family.
He does not want to lose this precious chance.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "strong time" or "big chance" when they mean time or chances that are very important. In these cases, "precious time" and "precious chance" (or "precious opportunity") are more natural.
Meaning
too valuable to waste
Collocations
precious time
|precious minutes
|precious seconds
|precious resources
|precious opportunity
|waste precious time
Synonyms
irreplaceable (Focuses on something that cannot be replaced if lost; used especially for time or unique things, similar to this sense of "precious.")
Antonyms
disposable (Suggests something can easily be thrown away or replaced, opposite of being too valuable to waste.)
Themes
time
|work
|life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very important and not much in amount, so you should not waste it, especially time or chances.
Very important and limited in supply, so that it should not be wasted or used carelessly, especially time, opportunities, or resources.
C1
INFORMAL
4
szinte semmi
B1
alig néhány
B1
Usage pattern:
precious little/few [thing]
We have precious little information about what actually happened.
Szinte semmi információnk nincs arról, hogy valójában mi történt.
There were precious few seats left on the plane.
Alig néhány szabad hely maradt a gépen.
He has shown precious little interest in helping with the project.
The company offered precious few details about the new product.
After paying the bills, they had precious little money left.
Learner examples
We got precious little help from the staff.
Szinte semmi segítséget nem kaptunk a személyzettől.
There are precious few buses after midnight.
Éjfél után alig néhány busz jár.
He gives me precious little time to explain.
We had precious little food during the trip.
She received precious little support from her friends.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "precious" here means "expensive" or "loved." In the phrase "precious little/few," it only adds strong emphasis to show that the amount is almost zero. Also, do not say *"precious many"*; it is normally used only with "little" and "few."
Meaning
very little or almost none
Collocations
precious little
|precious few
|precious little information
|precious few options
|precious little support
|precious few chances
Synonyms
hardly any (Common phrase with similar meaning, but less emotional and not limited to use with "little" or "few.")
Antonyms
plenty of (Means there is more than enough of something, opposite of having very little or almost none.)
Themes
daily life
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used before "little" or "few" to show that there is almost nothing or almost none of something.
Used mainly before "little" or "few" to emphasize that there is very little or almost nothing of something.
C1
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
[someone] is (too) precious about [something]
The film is beautifully shot, but some critics found it a little too precious.
A film gyönyörűen van fényképezve, de egyes kritikusok kissé túl finomkodónak találták.
Don't be so precious about your writing; you need to accept feedback.
Ne légy ennyire kényes az írásodra; el kell fogadnod a visszajelzéseket.
Her voice sounded precious and unnatural in the interview.
He has a precious way of speaking that not everyone likes.
The restaurant was stylish but felt a bit precious for a casual dinner.
Learner examples
The design of this cafe feels a bit precious.
A kávézó dizájnja kissé mesterkéltnek hat.
He is very precious about his clothes and never wants them to get dirty.
Nagyon kényes a ruháira, és sosem akarja, hogy koszosak legyenek.
Some people think her writing style is too precious.
Try not to be so precious about your ideas.
The movie looks nice, but it is a little precious for me.
Common mistake:
Learners often know only the positive meanings of "precious" and may be confused when it is used negatively about a person or style. In this sense, "precious" means someone is trying too hard, is too careful, or is not natural, not that they are loved or valuable.
Meaning
overly delicate or fussy
Collocations
too precious
|a bit precious
|sound precious
|feel precious
|precious about his work
|precious style
Synonyms
pretentious (Suggests someone is trying too hard to seem important or artistic; often overlaps with this sense of "precious" but is slightly stronger and broader.)
Antonyms
down-to-earth (Describes someone simple, natural, and not trying to be special, the opposite of behaving in a precious way.)
Themes
personality
|evaluation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Acting too careful, too perfect, or too sensitive, in a way that seems false or not natural.
Behaving in a way that is too delicate, too refined, too easily upset, or too carefully controlled, so that it seems silly, artificial, or annoying.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
6
Usage pattern:
my precious
"Come here, my precious," she said to the baby.
„Gyere ide, kincsem” – mondta a kisbabának.
He treats that old guitar like a precious, never letting anyone touch it.
Úgy bánik azzal a régi gitárral, mintha a kincse lenne, és senkinek sem engedi, hogy hozzáérjen.
Parents often post photos of their little precious on social media.
She whispered, "Goodnight, my precious," before turning out the light.
In his eyes, the dog was not just a pet but his precious.
Learner examples
She said, "Good morning, my precious," to her child.
Azt mondta a gyermekének: „Jó reggelt, kincsem.”
He calls his cat his precious.
A macskáját kincsemnek hívja.
That old car is his precious, and he cleans it every day.
Parents sometimes post photos of their precious online.
She held the ring like it was her precious.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this as a direct translation from their own language, where a similar word is more common. In English, using "precious" as a noun is usually affectionate, a bit cute, and often limited to close family, pets, or sometimes joking use.
Meaning
much-loved person or thing
Collocations
my precious
|you precious
|little precious
|our precious
|that precious of mine
Synonyms
darling (Very close in use and meaning, commonly used as a term of endearment; can sound slightly more old-fashioned or romantic than "precious.")
Antonyms
nobody (In casual speech, can suggest someone is not important or special, the opposite idea of a person being your "precious.")
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone or something you love very much; often used as a sweet name, usually with "my."
A person or thing that is loved very much, often used as a pet name or form of address, especially with "my."
Grammar
Dictionary form
precious
IPA
GB/pɹˈɛʃəs/
US/pɹˈɛʃəs/
Syllables & stress
pre - cious (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pre)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: precious
Word family
Expressions
life is precious
1/lˈaɪf ˈɪz pɹˈɛʃəs/
fixed phrase
human life is very valuable
Used to say that life is very valuable and should be protected and respected.
Examples
- After the accident, he often said that life is precious and should not be taken for granted.
- The campaign reminds people that life is precious and drunk driving can destroy it.
my precious
1/mˈaɪ pɹˈɛʃəs/
fixed phrase
informal
affectionate name for someone loved
A sweet name you call a person or pet you love very much.
Examples
- "Come here, my precious," she said softly to her dog.
- He posted a photo of "my precious" when his baby was born.
precious few
1/pɹˈɛʃəs fjˈu/
idiom
informal
very few, almost none
Used to say there are very few of something, almost none.
Examples
- There are precious few jobs available in this town.
- He has precious few real friends he can trust.
precious little
1/pɹˈɛʃəs lˈɪtəl/
idiom
informal
very little, almost nothing
Used to say there is very little of something, almost nothing.
Examples
- We learned precious little from the report.
- The company did precious little to help its workers during the crisis.
precious metals
1/pɹˈɛʃəs mˈɛtəlz/
fixed phrase
valuable rare metals like gold
Metals like gold, silver, and platinum that are rare and worth a lot of money.
Examples
- Investors often buy precious metals such as gold during times of economic uncertainty.
- The country exports large amounts of precious metals and gemstones.
precious moments
1/pɹˈɛʃəs mˈoʊmənts/
fixed phrase
emotionally special short times
Short times that are very special and important to you.
Examples
- She spent her last precious moments with her family.
- He tried to enjoy every precious moment of the vacation.
precious stones
1/pɹˈɛʃəs stˈoʊnz/
fixed phrase
valuable gemstones for jewelry
Rare stones like diamonds, rubies, and emeralds that are used in jewelry and are worth a lot of money.
Examples
- The crown was decorated with precious stones from around the world.
- They insure all their precious stones against theft.
precious time
1/pɹˈɛʃəs tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
time too important to waste
Time that is very important and should not be wasted.
Examples
- We are wasting precious time arguing about this.
- She chose to spend her precious time off with her family.