# valuable

/ˈvæɫjəbəɫ/ (US) · /vˈæljuːəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/valuable
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. worth a lot of money

adjective · CEFR B1

worth a lot of money.

For teachers: having high monetary value or market price.

- The museum has a collection of valuable paintings from the 18th century.
- The auction house confirmed that the diamond was one of the most valuable gems ever discovered in the region.

### 2. useful or important

adjective · CEFR B1

very useful, helpful, or important.

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

- She gave me some valuable advice about how to prepare for the interview.
- The intern gained valuable experience while working alongside the senior engineers on the bridge project.

### 3. expensive possessions

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

## Examples

- Please keep your valuables in the hotel safe.
- The sign at the gym entrance warns members that the management is not responsible for any lost or stolen valuables.
- While the insurance policy covers the structure of the home, high-value items like heirlooms and other valuables require a separate rider to ensure full replacement cost.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.