1.precious指的是事物内在的价值,常常由于稀有而宝贵,即“宝贵的,珍贵的,贵重的,珍爱的”,这种珍贵无法用钱衡量,失掉后无法补偿。precious可修饰具体名词,也可修饰抽象名词,还可修饰人和人的感情。有时也用于反语,有讽刺意味,这时无比较级和最高级形式。
2.precious也可指语言风格或举止“过于矫揉造作的,过分讲究的”,常用于贬义。
3.precious在口语中还可表示“十足的”“完全的”,用于加强语气。

用作定语
▲～+n.
Gold, silver and platinum are precious metals.金、银、白金是贵金属。
Diamonds, rubies and emeralds are included with precious stones.钻石、红宝石和绿宝石都属于宝石。
She owned many precious antiques.她拥有很多珍贵的古董。
He poured a few drops of the precious liquid into the glass.他往杯子里倒了几滴这种珍贵的液体。
That old toy is my most precious possession.那个旧玩具是我最珍爱的家产。
He has sent me most precious gifts.他送给我极其珍贵的礼物。
The original Declaration of Independence is a precious document kept in Washington.《独立宣言》原件是华盛顿的一份珍贵文件。
My precious darling!我的心肝宝贝!
She is a precious child.她是位可爱的孩子。
She was a precious, old-fashioned lady in her 90's.她是一个90多岁的、过分讲究的旧式老太太。
“Stop using that pen, it is mine.”“Take you precious pen, then!”“别用那支笔,那是我的。”“那就把你的这支宝贝笔拿走吧。”
A precious friend you have been.你真是个宝贝朋友。
He is a precious fool.他是个十足的傻瓜。
They have made a precious mess of their work.他们把工作搞得一团糟。
He has got into a precious mess.他已陷入困境。
Don't be in such a precious hurry.不要这么匆忙。
The TV set costs a precious sight more than you think.这台电视机的价格比你想的贵得多。
用作表语
▲S+be+～
 My time is precious; I can only give you a few minutes.我的时间是宝贵的,我只能见你几分钟。
▲S+be+～+prep.-phrase
 Your friendship is most precious to me.你的友谊对我来说是非常珍贵的。
Time is precious to us.时间对我们来说非常宝贵。
My life is more precious to me than my property.生命对我来说比财产更珍贵。
▲S+be+～+to-v
 Grain is too precious to waste.粮食十分珍贵,不可浪费。

precious, valuable
这两个词的共同意思是“贵重的”。其区别是:precious指任何无法用钱衡量的珍贵的东西,尤其适用于失掉后无法补偿的东西,还可用于人的感情方面; valuable指任何值钱的或可以带来巨额利润的、非常有用的或受人珍视的东西。例如:
The land is quite valuable.这块地很值钱。
We have already taken up too much of your valuable time.我们占用了你许多的宝贵时间。
He is a valuable partner.他是个很难得的伙伴。

1.precious有时可用作副词表示“很,非常(very)”。例如:
Precious few people can afford prices like that.没有什么人出得起那个价钱。
She has precious little to be cheerful about.她几乎毫无乐趣。
2.precious还可用作名词表示亲昵的称呼语,即“亲爱的(dear)”,例如:
What did you say, my precious?亲爱的,你说什么呀?

［同义词］   darling, favourite, fine, invaluable, loved, priceless, rare, valuable
［词源］  ＜古法语precios＜拉丁语pretiosus(有价值的,宝贵的)