Valuable
/ˈvæl.ju.ə.bəl/noun
Having great worth, usefulness, or importance.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *valere*, “to be strong, be worth,” the same root behind *valor* and *valiant*—so hidden inside “valuable” is the ancient idea that worth and power are the same thing.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wal-
“to be strong, be healthy, be worth”
Latin
Latin
valēre
“to be strong, to be well, to have value”
Late Latin
Latin
valuābilis
“worth having, valuable”
Old French
Old French
valuable
“worth a lot, of value”
Middle English
English
valuable
“having worth or usefulness”
Modern English
English
valuable
“having great worth, usefulness, or importance”
Explore more surprising origins