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
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.
Li was an early employee of Tencent, which is now China’s most valuable listed firm.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Molecules involved in these shifts could become valuable therapeutic targets.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
"We would rather leave our valuable minerals underground than export them without processing them locally. The era of 'horse and rider' investment relationships is over."
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
For Azhe, a placement at Kwick Fix Auto Care, also in Newcastle, proved valuable for a different reason to Kelsey and Maddison.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
They’d found the most valuable painting in the world in a cheap hotel.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
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.
