valuable

IPA/ˈvæljuəbl/
KK[vˈæljəbəl]IPA/ˈvæljuəbl/

valuable — adjective

  • valuablepositive
  • more valuablecomparative
  • most valuablesuperlative

1. describes an object that you could sell for a large amount of money because it i

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

describes an object that you could sell for a large amount of money because it is made from precious materials, is rare, or is highly desired by collectors.

Example

Saira's grandmother gave her a valuable gold necklace from the family collection.

collocation: valuable + precious object (gold necklace, diamond ring)

The painting was far more valuable than the auction house had expected.

Common collocations
  • valuable painting
  • valuable jewellery
  • valuable stamp collection
  • valuable antique
  • valuable property
Synonyms
  • precious

    emphasises rarity and emotional significance, not just price

  • costly

    stresses high expense, often implying sacrifice or effort

  • expensive

    describes a high purchase price; more conversational than 'valuable'

Antonyms
  • worthless

    having no monetary value whatsoever

  • cheap

    low in price; opposite of expensive rather than valuable

Grammar Patterns

valuable + noun

be + valuable

valuable to + noun

Usage Note

Often used before nouns naming specific valuable objects (painting, jewellery, stamp, antique, watch). In predicative position, 'valuable to' specifies the person who attaches worth: 'This ring is valuable to her for sentimental reasons.'

Common Mistakes

This watch is valuable 500 dollars.
This watch is worth 500 dollars.
'valuable' describes a high level of worth, not a specific price.
My grandmother's ring is valuable — I would never sell it.' (when meaning priceless)
My grandmother's ring is priceless.
'priceless' means so valuable that no price can be set; 'valuable' simply means worth a lot.

2. extremely useful or important — used for things you learn, advice you receive, o

2.adjectiveA2
Definition

extremely useful or important — used for things you learn, advice you receive, or help that someone gives you, which makes a real difference in a situation.

Example

Joshua gained valuable experience working at the hospital during his summer break.

collocation: valuable experience / valuable lesson / valuable advice — most common abstract nouns with this sense

The workshop offered valuable advice on how to start a small business from home.

Common collocations
  • valuable experience
  • valuable lesson
  • valuable advice
  • valuable information
  • valuable insight
  • valuable contribution
  • valuable skill
Synonyms
  • useful

    practical help in getting something done; less strong than 'valuable'

  • helpful

    direct assistance or support from a person or thing

  • beneficial

    produces good results for health, growth, or well-being

  • worthwhile

    justifies the time or effort spent; emphasises the payoff

Antonyms
  • useless

    providing no help or benefit whatsoever

  • pointless

    not worth doing; no useful purpose is served

Grammar Patterns

valuable + abstract noun

be + valuable

valuable to + noun/pronoun

valuable for + noun/gerund

Usage Note

Commonly collocates with abstract nouns such as 'experience', 'advice', 'lesson', 'information', 'contribution', 'insight', 'skill'. The intensifier 'extremely' appears more often with this sense than 'very' does. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not describe physical objects.

Common Mistakes

Her help was invaluable to me — it saved me ten minutes.
Her help was valuable to me
it saved me ten minutes.' — 'invaluable' means 'extremely useful, almost impossible to do without'; it is a much stronger word and is out of place for small favours.
This book is valuable for my research.' (when meaning 'useful, helps me')
correct
this is appropriate use of sense 2.

valuable — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

These words all describe things that bring a positive effect, but with different emphases. Valuable (sense 2) focuses on high importance or worth that is hard to replace, especially with abstract nouns: valuable experience changes how you see things. Useful describes practical assistance in getting something done — a useful app saves you time. Helpful emphasises direct aid or support from a person: a helpful colleague explains things clearly. Beneficial points to a positive outcome for health, growth, or well-being: regular exercise is beneficial for the heart. Worthwhile stresses that the time or effort spent is justified: a worthwhile training course leads to a better job. For example, a mentor's advice is valuable (high importance) and helpful (directly useful), and following it is worthwhile (the effort pays off). A training programme may be valuable for your CV and beneficial for your career growth.

valuable ↗useful ↗helpful ↗beneficial ↗worthwhile ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • extremely valuable
  • highly valuable
  • particularly valuable
  • truly valuable
  • genuinely valuable

Phrases

  • of great value
  • of little value

Prepositions

  • valuable to
  • valuable for

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'valuable' was formed in English around the 1580s by adding '-able' (meaning 'capable of being') to the noun 'value'. 'Value' itself came from Old French 'valeur' (worth, price), which came from Latin 'valēre' meaning 'to be strong, be well, be of worth'. So the original idea was 'something capable of being valued or priced'.