Precious means extremely valuable or deeply treasured. A precious gemstone like a diamond or ruby is rare and worth a lot of money. A precious memory is one you hold close to your heart because it means so much to you.

The word suggests something is valuable because it matters deeply, whether for its rarity, its meaning, or what it represents. Your grandmother's wedding ring might be precious because of what it represents, even if it's not made of expensive materials. A photograph can be precious because it captures a moment you never want to forget. Parents often call their children precious because they love them so much.

When something is in short supply, we say it's a precious resource. Clean water is precious in desert regions. Time with friends becomes more precious when you don't see them as much. The word reminds us that scarcity can make things feel more valuable.