precious

Of high value or worth.

People are a good thing, the most precious resource in a rich economy, so the progressive-minded feel. Only misanthropists disagree or the dottier Malthusians who send green-ink tweets deploring any state assistance for child-rearing.

The crown had many precious gemstones. This building work needs site access, and tell the city council that I don't care about a few lorry tyre ruts across their precious grass verge.

Regarded with love or tenderness.

The way my partner looks at me is just so precious.

Treated with too much reverence.

He spent hours painting the eyes of the portrait, which his fellow artists regarded as a bit precious.

Excessively complicated.

Extremely protective or strict (about something).

Writers are often very precious about their work.

Pro chefs can be very precious about their kit. Watch a bartender trying to borrow a simple, cheap fruit-knife from the kitchen and you'll see what I mean.

Someone (or something) who is loved; a darling.

“It isn't fair, my precious, is it, to ask us what it's got in its nassty little pocketses?”

She sat down with the dogs in her lap. "I won't neglect you for any one, will I, my preciouses?"

Very; an intensifier.

There is precious little we can do.

precious few pictures of him exist