Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

precious

adjective (NOT NATURAL)
 
 
/ˈpreʃ.əs/ mainly UK disapproving

Definition

behaving in a very formal and unnatural way by giving too much attention to details that are not important and trying too hard to be perfect: He's so precious about his work that he never gets anything done. Don't you hate the precious way she speaks, pronouncing each single consonant so precisely.Affected and insincere preciousness
 
 
/-nəs/ noun [U]
(Definition of precious adjective (NOT NATURAL) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“precious” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

come rain or shine

whatever happens

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More