Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a precious manner; with great affectation or delicacy: Used to describe something done in an overly refined, dainty, or artificially elegant way.
   • Extremely; very: Used as an intensifier, often informally, to mean "very" or "exceedingly."

Usage Examples

• Adverb (Affectation):
  • She spoke preciously, carefully enunciating every syllable.
  • The teacup was held preciously between his thumb and forefinger.
• Adverb (Intensifier):
  • We have preciously little evidence to support that claim.
  • He was preciously close to winning the championship.

Advanced Usage

• "preciously little/few": An idiomatic adverbial phrase meaning "very little" or "very few."
  • There is preciously little time to finish the project.
  • Preciously few people understood the complex theory.

Variants and Related Words

• Precious (adj):
  • Of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly.
  • (Informal, often derogatory) Affectedly concerned with elegant or refined behavior, language, or tastes.
• Preciousness (n):
  • The quality of being precious in value or affection.
  • The quality of being overly refined or affected.

Synonyms

• Affectedly: In an artificial, pretentious, or designed to impress manner.
• Exceedingly: To an extreme degree; extremely.
• Extremely: To a very great degree.

Related Phrases

• Hold something precious: To value something highly.
  • She holds her grandmother's memories precious.
• (informal) My precious: A phrase indicating something is dearly loved or valued, famously used in J.R.R. Tolkien's .
  • Gollum referred to the ring as "my precious."

Adverb

1. extremely
   • there is precious little time left