preciado
“preciado” means “precious” in Spanish (having high value or great importance).
precious, prized
Also: valued
📝 In Action
El agua es el recurso más preciado de esta región.
A2Water is the most precious resource in this region.
Guardo esta carta como mi tesoro más preciado.
B1I keep this letter as my most prized treasure.
La libertad es el bien más preciado del ser humano.
B2Freedom is the most valued asset of a human being.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: preciado
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the most natural way to say 'the prized jewels'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'pretium', meaning 'price' or 'value'. It follows the pattern of words related to how much something is worth.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'preciado' only for objects?
Not necessarily, but it is most common for objects or abstract concepts like 'liberty' or 'time.' While you can use it for people in very formal or poetic settings (e.g., 'mi preciado amigo'), it is much more natural to use 'querido' or 'estimado' for people.
Does 'preciado' mean 'expensive'?
It can, but 'caro' is the direct word for expensive. 'Preciado' focuses on the importance or high regard you have for the item, regardless of its price tag.
Is it different in Latin America and Spain?
The meaning is the same everywhere. The only difference is the pronunciation of the 'c' (like an 's' in Latin America, and like 'th' in most of Spain).