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Meaning & use

hidden treasure

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌhɪdən ˈtreʒə/
US/ˌhɪdən ˈtreʒər/

Meanings

  1. phraseuncountable

    valuable things, such as gold or jewels, that are buried or kept secret.

    Grammar: Used as a singular concept; can be preceded by 'a' when referring to a specific instance: a hidden treasure.

    Patterns

    • search for hidden treasure
    • a hidden treasure
    • buried hidden treasure

    The pirates buried their hidden treasure on a remote island.

    Legends say that hidden treasure lies beneath the old castle.

    The divers were looking for hidden treasure in the shipwreck.

  2. phrasecountablefigurative

    something or someone unexpectedly valuable or delightful that is not widely known.

    Grammar: Often used figuratively to describe a place, book, or person: This café is a hidden treasure.

    Patterns

    • a hidden treasure
    • be a hidden treasure
    • find a hidden treasure

    This little bookstore is a hidden treasure that few tourists know about.

    Her kindness is a hidden treasure that shines in difficult times.

    The documentary is a hidden treasure of independent cinema.

Common combinations

buried treasure
The map showed where the buried treasure was located.
search for hidden treasure
They spent the summer searching for hidden treasure along the coast.
a hidden treasure
The garden was a hidden treasure behind the busy street.
hidden treasure trove
The attic turned out to be a hidden treasure trove of old photographs.

Synonyms and how they differ

buried treasure
Buried treasure specifically means valuables under the ground; hidden treasure can also be figurative or simply kept secret.
gem
Gem is often used figuratively for a wonderful person or thing, but it does not imply that it is hidden.
find
As a noun, 'a find' means a valuable discovery; it is more informal and does not necessarily involve secrecy.

Word family

treasure noun
Valuable objects or a much-loved person.
treasure verb
To value something highly.
treasured adjective
Cherished or highly valued.

Commonly confused: hidden treasure or treasure hunt?

hidden treasure vs treasure hunt

A treasure hunt is a game or activity where people search for hidden items; hidden treasure is the valuable thing itself.

Practice

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