valuable English · revision 4852

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1589|origins=en value, en -able}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈvæl.jə.bəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|value|-able]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of material or monetary value: 1589 in the OED, the 1580s in Etymonline;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) about 1576 in MWU.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of great use or importance is from 1647, the 1640s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Capable of having its value estimated is from 1627 (the 1620s in Etymonline), used by Locke, but is now obsolete.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The noun, a valuable thing, is by 1775, often in the plural ''valuables''.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) In law, a ''valuable consideration'' is something of value given in a contract (1638).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1589 – of monetary value.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1627 – able to be valued.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1638 – ''valuable consideration''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1647 – of great use.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1775 – noun, a valuable thing.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Worth a lot of [[money]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Very useful or important: ''valuable advice''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(usually valuables)'' Small things that are worth a lot of money, such as [[jewellery]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[valuableness]]

+ * [[valuably]]

+ * [[invaluable]]

+ * [[nonvaluable]]

+ * [[overvaluable]]

+ * [[unvaluable]]

+ * [[valuable consideration]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[value]]

+ * [[valid]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}