ENGLISH
REFERENCE

valuable

adj. · n.
US //ˈvæɫjəbəɫ// UK //vˈæljuːəbəl// valu·able
  1. 1 worth a lot of money (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    worth a lot of money.

    having high monetary value or market price.

    Example

    The museum has a collection of valuable paintings from the 18th century.

    Example

    The auction house confirmed that the diamond was one of the most valuable gems ever discovered in the region.
  2. 2 useful or important (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    very useful, helpful, or important.

    possessing great utility, merit, or importance in a non-monetary sense.

    Example

    She gave me some valuable advice about how to prepare for the interview.

    Example

    The intern gained valuable experience while working alongside the senior engineers on the bridge project.
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  1. 3 expensive possessions (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    small things you own that are worth a lot of money, like jewellery or watches.

    personal possessions of high monetary value, such as jewellery or electronics. Almost always used in the plural form.

    Example

    Please keep your valuables in the hotel safe while you are at the beach.

    Example

    The insurance policy covers the theft of household goods but requires a separate rider for high-end valuables like antique watches.

    Usage

    This sense is almost exclusively used in the plural form 'valuables'.
    Pitfall
    I put my valuable in the hotel safe.
    I put my valuables in the hotel safe.

    When used as a noun to mean expensive items, it must be plural.

Origin

From value + -able.

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