B1adjective1K

Valuable

UK /["/ˈvæljuəbl/"]/US /["/ˈvæljuəbl/"]/

Definition

worth a lot of money

In simple words: Something that is worth a lot or is important.

Examples

  • This painting is very valuable because of its historical significance.
  • Having a mentor can be a valuable experience for young professionals.
  • The information you have provided is valuable for our research.
  • Time is a valuable resource that you should manage wisely.
  • The lessons learned from failure can be as valuable as success.

Usage notes

Use 'valuable' when describing things that have worth, importance, or usefulness. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, such as describing experiences, advice, or objects. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where simpler words like 'good' or 'helpful' may fit better.

Grammar pattern

valuable + noun

Memory hint

Imagine a gold bar—it's valuable and worth a lot!

Collocations

  • be
  • look
  • become
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • be
  • prove
  • seem
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • as
  • for
  • to

Synonyms

  • precious
  • important
  • worthwhile
  • beneficial
  • useful

Antonyms

  • worthless
  • insignificant

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'valuable' with 'valueless' which means having no worth.
  • Using 'valuable' to describe a person's character instead of skills or possessions.
  • Omitting the noun after 'valuable' when using it in a sentence.