precious
Of great worth
Precious describes something of great value or cherished deeply.
Precious metals like gold and silver have high monetary worth.
Precious memories are treasured emotionally.
A precious few means very few indeed—emphasizing scarcity.
The word can turn negative when describing affected or overly refined behavior: Don't be so precious about it.
In direct address, precious is a term of endearment: Come here, precious.
Held dear, prized
- adoredIntensely cherished
- dearTreasured or costly
- treasuredRegarded with deep affection
- esteemedGreatly respected, admired
revered · devoted · darling · sweetheart · heartfelt · tender · fond · doting
Affectionate name for beloved
- honeyBees' viscous nectar product
- darlingBeloved person or pet
- angelDivine winged messenger
- dearTreasured or costly
love · sweetie · treasure · pet · lamb · poppet · duck · dove
Beyond monetary worth
- prizedGreatly valued or esteemed
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- premiumAdded cost for better
- treasuredRegarded with deep affection
worth · fortune · rich · opulent · sumptuous · lavish · extravagant · gold
Item preserved for sentiment
- relicPreserved ancient object
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- mementoToken of recollection
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
legacy · heritage · ancestral · timeless · nostalgic · sentimental · family · vintage
In short supply
- uncommonSeldom occurring or found
- uniqueOnly one exists
- limitedRestricted in extent
- exclusiveLimited to one group
exceptional · singular · irreplaceable · one-of-a-kind · coveted · sought-after · exotic · elite
Crystallized carbon gemstone
- rubyPrecious red gemstone
- sapphireBlue precious corundum
- emeraldGreen precious beryl
- opalHydrated silica gemstone
pearl · jade · amethyst · garnet · topaz · aquamarine · turquoise · tanzanite
Easily broken or damaged
gossamer · ethereal · breakable · intricate · exquisite · refined · gentle · careful
Developed before typical age
- pretentiousFalsely grand or important
- tweeAffectedly dainty or quaint
- cloyingExcessively sweet or sentimental
- saccharineExaggeratedly sentimental
fussy · prissy · mannered · self-conscious · simpering · cutesy · contrived
cherished
Held dear, prized
esteemed · revered · devoted · darling · sweetheart · heartfelt · tender · fond · doting · cared-for
sweetheart
Affectionate name for beloved
dear · love · sweetie · treasure · pet · lamb · poppet · duck · dove · dearie
invaluable
Beyond monetary worth
treasured · worth · fortune · rich · opulent · sumptuous · lavish · extravagant · gold · silver
keepsake
Item preserved for sentiment
inheritance · legacy · heritage · ancestral · timeless · nostalgic · sentimental · family · vintage · collectible
scarce
In short supply
exclusive · exceptional · singular · irreplaceable · one-of-a-kind · coveted · sought-after · exotic · elite · select
diamond
Crystallized carbon gemstone
opal · pearl · jade · amethyst · garnet · topaz · aquamarine · turquoise · tanzanite · alexandrite
fragile
Easily broken or damaged
frail · gossamer · ethereal · breakable · intricate · exquisite · refined · gentle · careful · vulnerability
precocious
Developed before typical age
- pretentiousFalsely grand or important
- tweeAffectedly dainty or quaint
- cloyingExcessively sweet or sentimental
saccharine · fussy · prissy · mannered · self-conscious · simpering · cutesy · contrived
- love expressionsI love you, my love, sweetheart, darling, dear
- cutesy thingsadorable, charming, sweet, darling, cuddly
- pet namessweetheart, darling, Buddy, honey, Max
- pet nicknamesbuddy, sweetie, baby, fluffball, fur baby
- special qualitiesunique, rare, exclusive, exceptional, extraordinary
- gem qualitiesbrilliance, sparkle, luster, clarity, radiance
preciousunaffected
Not changed or influenced
natural · artless · unpretentious · straightforward · plain
- precious metalsRare, valuable metallic elements
- precious stonesRare, valued mineral specimens
- precious littleAn extremely small quantity
- my preciousPossessive endearment for treasured object
- semi-precious stoneValued mineral, not rare
- precious gemstonesRare, valuable mineral crystals
preciousness, precious metal, precious metals, precious stones, precious stone, semi-precious