: a usually personal possession (such as jewelry) of relatively great monetary value—usually used in plural
Did you know?
invaluable = valuable?
Many people find it confusing that the in- prefix at the beginning of invaluable apparently lacks the meaning "not" found in a number of other words, such as invalid, inarticulate, and insane. In fact, the prefix does indicate negation, but in a way that is not immediately obvious. The original (and current) meaning of invaluable is "valuable beyond estimation"; the word describes something so precious that one cannot assign a price to it. This, clearly, is the opposite of the meaning "having no value; valueless" that the word might seem to carry. Invaluable actually has been recorded in the sense "without value," but such use has been exceedingly rare and is practically nonexistent today.
Adjective The watch is extremely valuable. A lot of valuable advice can be found in this book. I learned a valuable lesson. He made many valuable contributions to the field of science. The volunteers provide a valuable service to the community. She is a valuable member of the staff. Clean air is a valuable natural resource that needs to be protected. Please don't waste my time. My time is very valuable. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But the point Cincinnati managed was very valuable. Pat Brennan, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2022 But if Parker can stay healthy, consistent, and productive, his addition would prove to be valuable within New England’s passing attack. Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Nothing is more valuable than a good night's sleep, so shop the Sertapedic No-Go Flat Pillow at this unbeatable price. Lydia Mansel, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2022 Saunders said the mental health evaluations are valuable. Kate Farrish, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2022 The best part about this new user promo from Caesars Kansas Sportsbook is that in includes three offers that would each be valuable in their own right. Xl Media, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2022 The property is particularly valuable because of its scale coupled with its proximity to downtown Bedford, according to listing agent Krissy Blake of Sotheby’s International Realty. Katherine Clarke, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 These are all people who are valuable to me, have a lot of advice and wisdom, and care about my happiness. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2022 There’s also whatever’s in the box, which could not be more valuable, politically, at this moment. Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022
Noun
People carried their valuables, and on most buses, bags and mattresses were loaded.BostonGlobe.com, 26 Dec. 2019 The mattress and sock drawer aren’t secure places for your cash and federal documents, because neither will protect your valuables from break-ins, fires, or flooding.Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2020 Protect your valuables with this Pelican case—a rugged water-, dirt-, and dustproof coffin that holds an oversize smartphone, USB cord, keys, and more. The Editors, Field & Stream, 26 Feb. 2020 Inside, the bag is spacious, and comes with all sorts of traveler bonuses, from ties and clips to secure your valuables to a detachable clear wash bag for all of your toiletries. Louis Cheslaw, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2020 Use a secure money belt or put your valuables in an inside pocket away out of reach. Erica Lamberg, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2020 People carried their valuables, and on most buses, bags and mattresses were loaded.BostonGlobe.com, 26 Dec. 2019 People carried their valuables, and on most buses, bags and mattresses were loaded.Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2019 San Francisco police are on the hunt for a 44-year-old swindler who’s part of a citywide racket in which crooks put fake gold jewelry on victims and use sleight of hand to swipe their valuables, officials said Monday.SFChronicle.com, 23 Dec. 2019 See More