jewel

1 of 2

noun

jew·​el ˈjü-əl  ˈjül 

 also  ˈju̇l

often attributive

1

: a precious stone : gem

2

: an ornament of precious metal often set with stones or decorated with enamel and worn as an accessory of dress

3

: one that is highly esteemed

regarded the library as the jewel of the campus

4

: a bearing for a pivot (as in a watch) made of crystal, glass, or a gem

jewellike

ˈjü-əl-ˌlīk 

ˈjül-

 also  ˈju̇l-

adjective

jewel

2 of 2

verb

jeweled or jewelled; jeweling or jewelling

transitive verb

1

: to adorn or equip with jewels

2

: to give beauty to as if with jewels : embellish

Synonyms

Noun

• brilliant
• gem
• gemstone
• rock [slang]

Examples of jewel in a Sentence

Noun

That diamond is one of world's largest jewels.

This painting is the jewel in our gallery.

The building is regarded as one of the jewels of modern architecture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But here in Florida, pickleball is the crown jewel. —Sarah Handel, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024

Other items on view include a prototype of a necklace made for Elizabeth Taylor to wear in the film Cleopatra (1963) and a variety of Cartier jewels. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024

Verb

The strawberry, blackberry and raspberry fields of the Pajaro Valley stretch for 10 miles along the coast of California’s Monterey Bay, jeweled with fruit from April through early December. —Coral Davenport, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English juel, from Anglo-French, diminutive of ju, jeu game, play, from Latin jocus game, joke — more at joke

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing jewel

• crown jewel
• jewel box
• jewel in the crown
• jewel tone

Kids Definition

jewel

1 of 2 noun

jew·​el ˈjü-əl 

ˈjül

1

: an ornament of precious metal often set with stones and worn as an accessory of dress

2

: one that is highly valued or prized

3

: a precious stone : gem

4

: a bearing in a watch made of a crystal or a precious stone

jewel

2 of 2 verb

jeweled or jewelled; jeweling or jewelling

: to adorn or equip with jewels