WordGarden.iopreciously
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /prˈɛʃəsli/
US
- /prˈɛʃəsli/
Meanings
Adverb
to a very small amount or degree; scarcely
in an affectedly delicate, cute, or overrefined way
Beyond the definition
Imagine a little girl clutching her favorite worn teddy bear. She holds it preciously, as if it were the most important thing in the world. The word does not always point to money or market value. More often, it shows that something is loved deeply and treated with great care because it matters personally. A grandmother might hold old photographs preciously while thinking about the people in them. It can also describe behavior. If someone acts preciously, they may seem too delicate, too fussy, or a little full of themselves.
The word "preciously" is an adverb that describes how something is valued, held, or treated. It can sometimes relate to something costly, but its main meaning is usually emotional rather than financial. Something held preciously is cherished, protected, and handled with loving care.
You might read in a novel: "She kept the letter he wrote her tucked away in a velvet box, holding it preciously as a reminder of their love." This use highlights emotional weight and personal attachment. However, "preciously" can also have a slightly negative or ironic sense. When it describes a person's manner or behavior, it suggests they are being overly refined, too delicate, or affected in a way that can seem insincere or self-important.
The word also appears in idiomatic use, especially in the phrase "preciously little," where it means very little. In that expression, it often emphasizes shortage, as in having preciously little time, money, or evidence. Whether it is a collector handling a rare antique with reverence or a parent cradling a newborn, the word suggests care, value, fragility, and deep feeling. It goes beyond simple ownership and points to emotional importance.
Examples
- 1
Limited time
There was preciously little time to fix the problem before the guests arrived.
- Phrasepreciously little
very little; almost not enough
- 2
Limited details
The report gave us preciously few details about what would happen next.
- 3
Artistic style
The poem is clever, but it is written a little too preciously for my taste.
- Phrasetoo preciously
in a way that feels too delicate, careful, or self-consciously artistic
See also
Similar
- affectedly
- manneredly
- pretentiously
Shades of meaning
- self-consciously
- archly
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- preciously written
- speak preciously
- too preciously
Word family
- precious
- preciousness
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- preciouslyadverb