treasure

[trezh-er]

noun

1. wealth or riches stored or accumulated, especially in the form of precious metals, money, jewels, or plate.

   Synonyms: hoard

2. wealth, rich materials, or valuable things.

3. any thing or person greatly valued or highly prized.

   This book was his chief treasure.

verb (used with object)

treasured, treasuring 

1. to retain carefully or keep in store, as in the mind.

2. to regard or treat as precious; cherish.

   Synonyms: esteem, value

3. to put away for security or future use, as money.

   Synonyms: hoard

treasure

/ ˈtrɛʒə /

noun

1. wealth and riches, usually hoarded, esp in the form of money, precious metals, or gems

2. a thing or person that is highly prized or valued

verb

1. to prize highly as valuable, rare, or costly

2. to store up and save; hoard

Other Word Forms

• treasurable adjective
• treasureless adjective
• untreasurable adjective
• untreasured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of treasure¹

First recorded in 1125–75; (for the noun) Middle English tresor, from Old French, from Gallo-Romance trēsaurus (unrecorded), from Latin thēsaurus “storehouse, hoard” ( thesaurus ); verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of treasure¹

C12: from Old French tresor , from Latin thēsaurus anything hoarded, from Greek thēsauros

Example Sentences

It's become so treasured that some dermatologists recommend "banking" it - investing in our collagen supply early so we have surplus when the inevitable happens.

From BBC

Sir David Attenborough described it as "one of the world's greatest natural treasures".

From BBC

But it had good bones and a secret treasure sort of appeal.

From Los Angeles Times

This was the son of a miner, a boy from Barnsley and proud Yorkshireman, whose exploits as an umpire transcended cricket and made him a national treasure.

From BBC

Bird's home county Yorkshire, whom he played for and served as president, described him as a "national treasure, known not only for his umpiring excellence but also for his eccentricities and warmth".

From BBC

Related Words

• bounty 
• cache 
• cash 
• gem 
• gold 
• jewel 
• money 
• prize 
• reserve 
• riches 
• valuable 
• wealth