precious
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Used, in a slang sense, like very or exceeding; "a PRECIOUS little of that," i.e., a very little indeed; a PRECIOUS humbug, rascal, &c., i.e., an eminent one.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “precious” mean?
Used, in a slang sense, like very or exceeding; "a PRECIOUS little of that," i.e., a very little indeed; a PRECIOUS humbug, rascal, &c., i.e., an eminent one.
Is “precious” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.