The word "precious" is spelled with the letters p-r-e-c-i-o-u-s. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /ˈpreʃəs/. The "pr" sound begins with a voiceless bilabial stop /p/, followed by a voiced alveolar affricate /tʃ/. The "e" sound is represented as the mid-central vowel /ə/. The "sh" sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative /ʃ/, followed by the vowel /əs/ represented as schwa. The final sound, "s", is also represented as schwa.
Precious is an adjective that describes something of great value, usually due to its rarity, beauty, or sentimental significance. It refers to an item, person, or quality that is highly esteemed, cherished, and considered invaluable.
In its literal sense, "precious" can be applied to gemstones or metals such as diamonds, emeralds, gold, or silver, which are highly sought after and hold significant monetary value. These rare and exquisite materials are often used in jewelry or art, highlighting their inherent worth.
However, beyond the material sense, "precious" can also be used figuratively to describe intangible qualities or persons. It may refer to someone who is greatly loved, adored, or appreciated by others. Such individuals possess qualities that make them exceptional and irreplaceable, leading to a sense of reverence or protection towards them.
Moreover, "precious" can also describe cherished attributes or qualities like time, memories, or moments that once lost cannot be regained. It implies recognizing the fragility and fleeting nature of such intangible treasures, emphasizing the importance of valuing and making the most of them.
Overall, "precious" captures the essence of something that is highly esteemed, valuable, and deserving of special care and attention due to its rareness, beauty, significance, or emotional impact.
Of great value; costly; highly esteemed; in irony, worthless.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word precious comes from the Latin word pretiosus, which means costly, valuable, or of great worth. In turn, pretiosus is derived from the Latin noun pretium, meaning price or value.