precious

• Qualifie ce qui a une grande valeur, qui est très estimé ou qui est aimé.

Describes something that is of great value, highly cherished, or beloved.

1. Of great valueA2formal

   Having high monetary or material worth.

   de grande valeur

   • Diamonds are precious stones.
   • She inherited a collection of precious jewelry.
   • Gold is considered a precious metal.

   Synonymescostlydearexpensivepricelessvaluable

   Antonymescheappaltrytrashyvaluelessworthless

2. Dearly loved or cherishedA2formal

   Regarded with great affection or emotional value.

   précieux (au sens affectif)

   • Her children are precious to her.
   • This old photograph is very precious to our family.
   • He keeps his precious memories in a special box.

   Synonymesadoredbelovedcherisheddarlingdearlovedtreasuredvalued

   Antonymesdespisedhatedunloved

3. Excessively refined or affectedC1informalbritish

   Overly concerned with elegance or correctness, often in a way that seems unnatural.

   précieux, affecté

   • His speech was a bit too precious for my taste.
   • She has a precious way of speaking that annoys some people.
   • The film's dialogue felt overly precious and unrealistic.

   Synonymesaffectedartificialcontrivedfinicalmanneredmincingoverniceoverrefinedpretentiousstudied

   Antonymesnaturalplainsimplespontaneousunaffected