'Precious' definitions:
Definition of 'precious'
From: WordNet
adverb
Extremely; "there is precious little time left" [syn: precious, preciously]
adjective
Characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for; "a cherished friend"; "children are precious"; "a treasured heirloom"; "so good to feel wanted" [syn: cherished, precious, treasured, wanted]
adjective
Of high worth or cost; "diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are precious stones"
adjective
Held in great esteem for admirable qualities especially of an intrinsic nature; "a valued friend"; "precious memories" [syn: valued, precious]
adjective
Obviously contrived to charm; "an insufferably precious performance"; "a child with intolerably cute mannerisms" [syn: cute, precious]
Definition of 'Precious'
From: GCIDE
- Precious \Pre"cious\, a. [OF. precious, precius, precios, F. pr['e]cieux, L. pretiosus, fr. pretium price, worth, value. See Price.]
- 1. Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone. "The precious bane." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections. [1913 Webster]
- She is more precious than rules. --Prov. iii. 15. [1913 Webster]
- Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
- Note: Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Cf. Pr['e]cieuse, Preciosity. [1913 Webster]
- Lest that precious folk be with me wroth. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
- Elaborate embroidery of precious language. --Saintsbury. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
- Precious metals, the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver.
- Precious stones, gems; jewels. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'precious'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- absolute,
- admired,
- adored,
- affected,
- alembicated,
- angel,
- arrant,
- artful,
- artificial,
- babe,
- baby,
- baby-doll,
- beloved,
- beyond price,
- buttercup,
- cherished,
- cherub,
- chichi,
- chick,
- chickabiddy,
- choice,
- choosy,
- classical,
- complete,
- consummate,
- costly,
- crass,
- darling,
- dear,
- dearly beloved,
- deary,
- decided,
- definitive,
- doll,
- downright,
- duck,
- duckling,
- effete,
- egregious,
- elaborate,
- elaborated,
- elegant,
- esteemed,
- euphemistic,
- euphuistic,
- exact,
- expensive,
- exquisite,
- fastidious,
- favorite,
- finicky,
- flagrant,
- formalistic,
- fussy,
- glaring,
- golden,
- Gongoresque,
- Gongoristic,
- good as gold,
- goody good-good,
- goody-goody,
- gross,
- hallowed,
- held dear,
- high-priced,
- hon,
- honey,
- honey bunch,
- honey child,
- hyperelegant,
- idolized,
- inestimable,
- intolerable,
- invaluable,
- irreplaceable,
- la-di-da,
- lamb,
- lambkin,
- love,
- loved,
- lover,
- mannered,
- Marinistic,
- methodical,
- meticulous,
- mincing,
- namby-pamby,
- nice,
- of great price,
- orderly,
- ostentatious,
- out-and-out,
- outright,
- overdone,
- overelaborate,
- overelegant,
- overnice,
- overprecise,
- overrefined,
- particular,
- pedantic,
- perfect,
- persnickety,
- pet,
- petkins,
- picky,
- popular,
- positive,
- precieuse,
- precieux,
- precious heart,
- precise,
- precisian,
- precisianistic,
- precisionist,
- precisionistic,
- pretentious,
- priceless,
- pricey,
- prized,
- profound,
- pronounced,
- proper,
- punctilious,
- puristic,
- rank,
- rare,
- recherche,
- regular,
- revered,
- rich,
- scrupulous,
- shattering,
- shocking,
- showy,
- simpering,
- snookums,
- sophisticated,
- squeamish,
- stark,
- stark-staring,
- studied,
- sugar,
- superlative,
- surpassing,
- sweet,
- sweetheart,
- sweetie,
- sweetkins,
- sweets,
- the veriest,
- thorough,
- thoroughgoing,
- total,
- treasured,
- unbearable,
- unconscionable,
- undeniable,
- unequivocal,
- unmitigated,
- unnatural,
- unqualified,
- unrelieved,
- unspoiled,
- utter,
- valuable,
- valued,
- venerable,
- venerated,
- well-beloved,
- well-liked,
- white-haired,
- worthy