1. in a manner that shows something is valued highly or treated as very important
2. in an affected or overly refined manner
Usage: often disapproving

Examples

• She held the antique vase preciously in her hands.
• The grandmother preciously kept all her grandchildren’s drawings.
• He spoke preciously about his art collection.
• The child preciously guarded her favorite toy.
• She preciously arranged the flowers in the crystal vase.
• The actor spoke preciously, emphasizing every syllable.