National treasure
n.joyful, kindwarm
What it means
A person or institution cherished for exceptional cultural value.
Reach for it when praising a person or institution as exceptionally cherished in national culture
The beloved children's author became a national treasure over six decades.
Choose between these
6- everyday
wide recognition and symbolic status lead
not when An icon may be famous without being loved.
- warm
beloved figure
public affection is more important than official stature
not when The phrase does not imply national significance.
- warm
living legend
an admired person's lifetime achievements matter
not when Living legend is limited to people and can sound inflated.
- professional
institution
longstanding public importance is emphasized
not when Institution can describe influence without affection.
- formal
cultural landmark
enduring significance rather than personality leads
not when Landmark sounds impersonal when praising a person.
- literary
distinction within a field is the focus
not when A luminary need not have nationwide affection.
Said against
3- national disgrace
- unknown
- pariah
It naturally appears in
3- beloved national treasure
The broadcaster became a beloved national treasure through decades of gentle wit.
- considered a national treasure
The cedar grove is considered a national treasure by local historians.
- living national treasure
The potter was honored as a living national treasure.
Where this comes from
Some countries use Living National Treasure as a formal title; lowercase figurative praise is broader.
- wiktionary, English noun, widely cherished person or cultural asset sense opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-27
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.