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valuable

costly / useful / precious
Adjective[C/U] Both
pl: valuablessup: more valuable

The word oscillates between two distinct types of worth: monetary market value and intrinsic utility. When referring to money, it suggests a high price tag or rarity, often associated with luxury items or collectibles. When referring to usefulness, the connotation is one of efficiency, timeliness, or strategic importance. In this sense, it is more about 'benefit' than 'cost'. A piece of advice isn't expensive; it is valuable because it solves a problem. As a noun (valuables), the focus shifts toward portability and security. It specifically evokes images of small, high-value itemsjewelry, passports, or cashthat are susceptible to theft.

Countable when referring to physical objects of worth (valuables). Uncountable when describing the quality of being useful or expensive (valuable as an adjective).

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Jackson is texting Maya after a failed investment pitch.
Jackson

Just read this whitepaper. This new token is actually valuable.

Jackson
Maya
Maya

Stop trying to sell me on this. You're just chasing ghosts.

💡
Jackson uses 'valuable' to insist his crypto asset has real worth, while Maya dismisses him using the idiom 'chasing ghosts', meaning pursuing something that doesn't exist or is an illusion.

Meanings

Adjectivecostly

Worth a great deal of money.

"The antique vase is extremely valuable."

Adjectiveuseful

Extremely useful or important.

"She provided some valuable advice during the crisis."

Nounprecious

Something of great worth, typically used in the plural form 'valuables'.

"Please lock your valuables in the hotel safe."

Related Words

Last Updated: June 13, 2026Report an Error