valuable
Americanadjective
-
having considerable monetary worth; costing or bringing a high price.
a valuable painting; a valuable crop.
- Antonyms:
- worthless
-
having qualities worthy of respect, admiration, or esteem.
a valuable friend.
- Antonyms:
- worthless
-
of considerable use, service, or importance.
valuable information.
- Antonyms:
- worthless
noun
adjective
-
having considerable monetary worth
-
of considerable importance or quality
a valuable friend
valuable information
-
able to be valued
noun
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of valuable
Explanation
Something that has worth is valuable. Often, valuable things are worth money, but a spy can provide valuable information that might save lives. When you use this word as a noun — "Were any valuables taken during the robbery?" — you usually are referring to things that are worth money: jewelry, electronics, etc. As an adjective, the word covers more territory. A person can be a valuable addition to a team if she helps it win. The most valuable things in life have nothing to do with money: friends, family, good health. If it is something we want, need, or respect, then it is valuable.
Vocabulary lists containing valuable
List 6
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Cover Letter Language
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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for March 6–12, 2021
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These observations provide valuable new information about the anatomy and evolution of the species.
From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2026
The index committee has latitude in picking new members and doesn’t strictly choose the most valuable eligible candidates.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
His company, SoftBank Group 9984 -8.06%decrease; red down pointing triangle , on Monday became Japan’s most valuable, ending Toyota’s 23-year reign.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Should the company's shares sell at or above the expected $135 price, it will immediately become one of the most valuable companies in the world.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
If Penkovsky was a loyal Soviet agent trying to deceive the CIA, he’d hand over what spies call “chicken feed”—secret information that is true, but not truly valuable.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
