valued
A valued person or thing is someone or something that you think is very important and special.
Explanation at your level:
When you are valued, people like you and think you are good. If you are a valued friend, your friends are happy to have you. It is a nice word to use when you want to say 'thank you' to someone for being special.
We use valued to talk about things or people that are important. For example, a valued employee works hard and the company likes them. It is a positive word that shows respect for someone's work or their character.
The adjective valued describes someone or something that is highly appreciated. It is commonly used in business emails to thank clients, such as 'Thank you for being a valued customer.' It implies that the person has a special place in the organization or the speaker's life.
Using valued adds a layer of professionalism and sincerity to your language. It suggests that the worth of the person or object has been recognized and acknowledged. Unlike 'valuable,' which often refers to monetary worth, 'valued' focuses on the emotional or social appreciation of the subject.
In advanced contexts, valued is used to denote a sense of established merit. It often appears in formal appraisals or testimonials. It carries the nuance of a long-term relationship where the subject has consistently proven their significance. It is a sophisticated way to express gratitude while maintaining a professional distance.
At the C2 level, one recognizes the etymological roots of valued in the Latin valere. It is used in literary critiques to describe characters who are 'valued' by their peers for specific virtues. The nuance here is that the value is subjective, based on the collective judgment of a community rather than an objective market price. It is a word of social validation.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means held in high regard.
- Used for people and things.
- Commonly paired with 'highly'.
- Different from 'valuable'.
The word valued is a powerful adjective that describes something or someone held in high esteem. When we say someone is a valued member of a team, we are expressing that their presence is not just noticed, but deeply appreciated.
Think of it as the opposite of being taken for granted. Whether it is a valued piece of jewelry passed down through generations or a valued opinion in a meeting, the word carries a weight of respect and significance. It implies that the subject has proven their worth over time.
The word valued comes from the Old French word valoir, which means 'to be worth.' This traces back even further to the Latin valere, meaning 'to be strong' or 'to be of value.'
Historically, the concept of 'value' was tied to physical strength or health, but it evolved through the Middle Ages to represent economic worth. By the 16th century, the term began to take on the emotional nuance we use today, shifting from just 'price' to 'personal importance.' It is fascinating how a word that once meant physical strength now describes the emotional bonds we form with others.
You will most commonly hear valued used in professional settings, such as 'a valued customer' or 'a valued employee.' It is a standard way to show appreciation in a formal register.
In casual conversation, it is slightly less common, though you might hear someone say, 'I really feel valued in this group.' It pairs well with verbs like 'feel,' 'remain,' or 'be.' Using this word effectively signals that you are acknowledging the merit of a person or object, making it a great tool for building positive relationships.
While 'valued' itself is a direct adjective, it is part of the broader family of value-based idioms. 1. To set great store by: Meaning to consider something very important. 2. Worth one's weight in gold: Someone who is extremely useful or valuable. 3. A diamond in the rough: Something that is valued despite a plain appearance. 4. To hold dear: To cherish something deeply. 5. To be of value: To be useful or important to a cause.
The word valued is the past participle of the verb 'value,' functioning here as an adjective. It is pronounced /ˈvæljuːd/ in both British and American English, with the stress on the first syllable.
It rhymes with words like 'salued' or 'halved' (in some dialects). Because it is an adjective, it is often placed before a noun (e.g., 'a valued friend') or after a linking verb (e.g., 'the advice was valued'). It is a regular form, so you don't need to worry about irregular pluralization.
Fun Fact
The word is related to 'valiant', which also comes from 'valere' (to be strong).
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'a' sound, clear 'd' at the end.
Similar to UK, slightly more rhotic.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as 'val-yoo-ed'
- Dropping the 'd' at the end
- Stress on the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Needs correct collocation
Good for professional speech
Clear pronunciation
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
A valued friend
Past participles as adjectives
The valued item
Linking verbs
I feel valued
Examples by Level
You are a valued friend.
You = friend, valued = important
Adjective before noun
This is a valued book.
Book = important
Adjective before noun
I feel valued here.
Feel = emotion, valued = appreciated
Adjective after verb
He is a valued helper.
Helper = person who helps
Adjective before noun
She is a valued teacher.
Teacher = school person
Adjective before noun
We have a valued team.
Team = group of people
Adjective before noun
That is a valued gift.
Gift = present
Adjective before noun
They are valued members.
Members = people in a group
Adjective before noun
She is a valued member of our club.
The company has many valued employees.
I feel like a valued part of the team.
He gave me a valued piece of advice.
These are our most valued possessions.
She is a highly valued assistant.
We appreciate our valued partners.
The painting is a valued item in the museum.
The manager sent a note to all valued customers.
She felt valued because her ideas were heard.
His contribution to the project was highly valued.
We consider your feedback to be very valued.
The community has many valued traditions.
He is a valued contributor to the magazine.
The antique vase is a valued family heirloom.
I have always felt valued by my colleagues.
She remained a valued advisor until she retired.
The institution holds its alumni as valued members.
It is a valued opportunity to learn from experts.
He provided a valued perspective on the issue.
The organization recognizes the work of its valued staff.
She expressed how valued she felt during the transition.
His presence at the meeting was considered a valued asset.
They are valued for their integrity and hard work.
The professor is a valued scholar in her field.
His insights were deemed a valued addition to the discourse.
The company culture ensures that every voice feels valued.
She is a valued consultant for several international firms.
The heritage site is a valued part of our national history.
He was a valued ally during the difficult negotiations.
The manuscript is a valued document for historians.
They are valued for their commitment to excellence.
The artist’s work is a valued contribution to modern aesthetics.
He has long been a valued confidant to the prime minister.
The treaty remains a valued instrument of international peace.
She is a valued practitioner of traditional medicine.
The collection is a valued repository of cultural memory.
His judgment is a valued commodity in the industry.
They are valued for their nuanced understanding of the crisis.
The legacy of the founder is a valued cornerstone of the firm.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"worth one's salt"
competent and deserving of respect
Any worker worth their salt would know that.
casual"hold in high regard"
to respect someone
I hold her in high regard.
formal"set store by"
to consider important
She sets great store by punctuality.
neutral"worth its weight in gold"
extremely valuable
That advice was worth its weight in gold.
idiomatic"a feather in one's cap"
an achievement to be proud of
Winning that award was a feather in his cap.
neutral"in high esteem"
to be respected
He is held in high esteem by his peers.
formalEasily Confused
Similar root
Price vs appreciation
Valuable ring vs valued friend.
Similar sound
Legitimate vs appreciated
Valid ticket vs valued opinion.
Verb form
Adjective vs verb
I valued his time (verb) vs He is a valued friend (adj).
Noun form
Concept vs descriptor
The value of the car vs a valued car.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + a + valued + noun
He is a valued member.
Subject + feel + valued
I feel valued here.
Highly + valued + noun
A highly valued asset.
Subject + be + valued + by + someone
She is valued by her boss.
Consider + someone + as + a + valued + noun
We consider him a valued partner.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Valued is for appreciation; valuable is for price/utility.
Highly is a better collocate for valued.
Valued describes feelings; valuable describes worth.
Valued is the adjective/past participle.
Remember the 'e'.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a gold trophy with your name on it.
When Native Speakers Use It
In performance reviews.
Cultural Insight
Showing gratitude is highly valued in the West.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'highly' before 'valued'.
Say It Right
Don't add an extra syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for market price.
Did You Know?
It shares a root with 'valiant'.
Study Smart
Write 3 sentences about people you value.
Professional Tip
Use it in thank-you emails.
Pattern Check
It follows 'be' or 'feel'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Value + ed = You are valued!
Visual Association
A gold medal being placed on a person.
Word Web
Challenge
Tell someone today why they are a valued friend.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To be strong or worth
Cultural Context
None, generally a very positive word.
Common in corporate culture to show appreciation.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Work
- Valued employee
- Valued contributor
- Valued feedback
Friendship
- Valued friend
- Deeply valued
- Valued support
Business
- Valued customer
- Valued partner
- Valued client
Education
- Valued opinion
- Valued research
- Valued student
Conversation Starters
"Who is a valued person in your life?"
"How do you make your friends feel valued?"
"What makes an employee feel valued at work?"
"Do you feel valued in your current job or school?"
"Why is it important to feel valued?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt truly valued.
List three things you possess that you consider valued.
How can you show others they are valued?
Describe a valued mentor you have had.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, valued is for appreciation; valuable is for price/utility.
Yes, like a valued possession.
Unappreciated.
It is the past participle of the verb 'value'.
Val-yood.
It is neutral to formal.
It is better to say 'highly valued'.
Yes, very common in professional settings.
Test Yourself
You are a ___ friend.
Valued means special.
What does 'valued' mean?
Valued means important.
Can a person be valued?
Yes, people are valued for their work or character.
Word
Meaning
They are synonyms.
He is a valued member.
She is a ___ contributor.
Highly valued is the correct collocation.
Which is a synonym for valued?
Esteemed means respected.
Valued and valuable mean exactly the same.
Valued is for appreciation; valuable is for worth/price.
The document remains a valued asset for historians.
His opinion is ___ in the industry.
Highly valued is the standard phrase.
Score: /10
Summary
To be valued is to be recognized for your worth and significance.
- Means held in high regard.
- Used for people and things.
- Commonly paired with 'highly'.
- Different from 'valuable'.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a gold trophy with your name on it.
When Native Speakers Use It
In performance reviews.
Cultural Insight
Showing gratitude is highly valued in the West.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'highly' before 'valued'.
