precious
gb/pɹˈɛʃəs/ us/pɹˈɛʃəs/
B1
Inglês
~ 6400
értékes, nemes, drága, becses, szinte semmi, alig néhány, finomkodó, kényes, mesterkélt, kincsem, drágám, kincs
B1
1
Padrão de uso:
[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.
Exemplos para estudantes
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.
Erro comum:
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.
Significado
very valuable or costly
Colocações
precious metals
|precious stones
|precious gems
|precious artwork
|precious resource
|precious antique
Sinônimos
valuable (General word for something worth a lot of money or very useful; slightly less strong and emotional than "precious".)
Antônimos
worthless (Describes something that has no money value or use, the direct opposite of financially or materially precious.)
Temas
money
|objects
|trade
|business
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Definição
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
Padrão de uso:
[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.
Exemplos para estudantes
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.
Erro comum:
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.
Significado
very loved and cherished
Colocações
precious memory
|precious moments
|precious family
|precious child
|precious friendship
|precious gift
Sinônimos
cherished (Emphasizes deep, long-lasting love and care; slightly more formal and emotional than "precious".)
Antônimos
unimportant (Describes something that does not matter much to someone, the opposite of being emotionally precious.)
Temas
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definição
Very important and loved by someone.
Loved and valued very highly on a personal or emotional level; deeply important to someone.
B2
3
Padrão de uso:
[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.
Exemplos para estudantes
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.
Erro comum:
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.
Significado
too valuable to waste
Colocações
precious time
|precious minutes
|precious seconds
|precious resources
|precious opportunity
|waste precious time
Sinônimos
irreplaceable (Focuses on something that cannot be replaced if lost; used especially for time or unique things, similar to this sense of "precious.")
Antônimos
disposable (Suggests something can easily be thrown away or replaced, opposite of being too valuable to waste.)
Temas
time
|work
|life
|core_vocabulary
Definição
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
Padrão de uso:
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.
Exemplos para estudantes
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.
Erro comum:
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."
Significado
very little or almost none
Colocações
precious little
|precious few
|precious little information
|precious few options
|precious little support
|precious few chances
Sinônimos
hardly any (Common phrase with similar meaning, but less emotional and not limited to use with "little" or "few.")
Antônimos
plenty of (Means there is more than enough of something, opposite of having very little or almost none.)
Temas
daily life
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Definição
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
Padrão de uso:
[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.
Exemplos para estudantes
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.
Erro comum:
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.
Significado
overly delicate or fussy
Colocações
too precious
|a bit precious
|sound precious
|feel precious
|precious about his work
|precious style
Sinônimos
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.)
Antônimos
down-to-earth (Describes someone simple, natural, and not trying to be special, the opposite of behaving in a precious way.)
Temas
personality
|evaluation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definição
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.
SUBSTANTIVO
B2
INFORMAL
6
Padrão de uso:
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.
Exemplos para estudantes
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.
Erro comum:
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.
Significado
much-loved person or thing
Colocações
my precious
|you precious
|little precious
|our precious
|that precious of mine
Sinônimos
darling (Very close in use and meaning, commonly used as a term of endearment; can sound slightly more old-fashioned or romantic than "precious.")
Antônimos
nobody (In casual speech, can suggest someone is not important or special, the opposite idea of a person being your "precious.")
Temas
relationships
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definição
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."
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
precious
AFI
GB/pɹˈɛʃəs/
US/pɹˈɛʃəs/
Sílabas e tonicidade
pre - cious (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (pre)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: precious
Família de palavras
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- "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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- We are wasting precious time arguing about this.
- She chose to spend her precious time off with her family.