valuable

[ val-yoo-uh-buhl, -yuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. having considerable monetary worth; costing or bringing a high price:

   a valuable painting; a valuable crop.

   Antonyms: worthless

2. having qualities worthy of respect, admiration, or esteem:

   a valuable friend.

   Antonyms: worthless

3. of considerable use, service, or importance:

   valuable information.

   Antonyms: worthless

noun

1. Usually valuables. articles of considerable value, as of personal property, especially those of relatively small size:

   They locked their valuables in the hotel safe.

valuable

/ ˈvæljʊəbəl /

adjective

1. having considerable monetary worth
2. of considerable importance or quality

   valuable information

   a valuable friend

3. able to be valued

noun

1. usually plural a valuable article of personal property, esp jewellery

Derived Forms

• ˈvaluableness, noun
• ˈvaluably, adverb

Other Words From

• valu·a·ble·ness noun
• valu·a·bly adverb
• non·valu·a·ble adjective
• over·valu·a·ble adjective
• over·valu·a·ble·ness noun
• over·valu·a·bly adverb
• un·valu·a·ble adjective
• un·valu·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of valuable¹

First recorded in 1580–90; value (verb) + -able

Synonym Study

Valuable, precious refer to that which has monetary or other value. Valuable applies to whatever has value, but especially to what has considerable monetary value or special usefulness, rarity, etc.: a valuable watch. That which is precious has a very high intrinsic value or is very dear for its own sake, associations, or the like: a precious jewel, friendship.

Example Sentences

Scientists say cutting back on waste is valuable because methane traps heat at a much higher rate than carbon dioxide.

From Los Angeles Times

“But there are those 10 or 12 defining moments in your life, and that was one of them. I learned a valuable lesson the hard way: You negotiate a good deal up front.”

From Los Angeles Times

We need to be making the argument that democracy isn’t just valuable for its own sake.

From Salon

Apples rank among the world's most valuable fruit crops, with production spanning more than 100 countries.

From Science Daily

The difference: Only one of those eight players was even 20% above league average: Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., the runner-up to Aaron Judge as AL most valuable player.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beneficial
• costly
• expensive
• helpful
• important
• invaluable
• prized
• profitable
• relevant
• scarce
• treasured
• useful
• valued
• worthwhile