precious
adjective uk/ˈpreʃ.əs/ us/ˈpreʃ.əs/
(VALUABLE)
B2 珍贵的，宝贵的
of great value because of being rare, expensive, or important
a precious gift 珍贵的礼物
a precious moment/memory 宝贵的时刻／记忆
Clean water is a precious commodity in many parts of the world. 在世界上很多地方洁净的水是昂贵的商品。
You're so precious to me. 你对我来说就是珍宝。
- More examples
- The museum is full of rare and precious treasures.
- a collection of precious objects
- precious stones
- Hurry up now, you're wasting precious time!
- This letter is really precious to me because it's the last one that Pete ever wrote.
(NOT NATURAL)
mainly UK disapproving过分讲究的，做作的
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. 他对自己的活儿太讲究了，反而什么都做不成。
Don't you hate the precious way she speaks, pronouncing each single consonant so precisely. 她讲话做作的样子真让人讨厌，每个辅音都发得那么准确。
(SHOWING DISLIKE)
[ before noun ] informal（表示讨厌和／或恼怒）宝贝似的
used to express dislike and/or anger
You and your precious car - it's all you're interested in! 你心里只有你和你那辆宝贝车！
precious
adverb informal uk/ˈpreʃ.əs/ us/ˈpreʃ.əs/
极其，非常（同 very）
very
Lots of people will start, but precious few will finish. 许多人将开始去做，但极少数能完成。
Be careful - you'll be precious little help if you come back injured. 小心——如果你受了伤回来就帮不上什么忙了。