noun
bijou
bee-ZHOO
Bijou (noun) means a small, delicate piece of jewelry or a trinket. Example: “She kept the tiny bijou in a velvet box.”
noun
1
A small, delicate piece of jewelry or a trinket.
"She kept the tiny bijou in a velvet box."
adj
1
Small and elegant, often used to describe a compact but stylish place.
"They stayed in a bijou hotel tucked down a side street in Paris."
How to use bijou
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmall in size but charming or elegant — often used for jewelry or cozy little venues.
When to use it
Slightly formal or fashionable in tone, common in property and hospitality writing.
Common pairings
a bijou apartment
a bijou restaurant
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Word forms
- Plural
- bijous, bijoux
- Comparative
- more bijou
- Superlative
- most bijou
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She kept the tiny _____ in a velvet box.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from French bijou, meaning "jewel."
Rhymes for bijou
See all rhymes for bijou →Frequently asked questions
What does “bijou” mean?
The word “bijou” means a small, delicate piece of jewelry or a trinket. In plain terms, small in size but charming or elegant — often used for jewelry or cozy little venues.
How do you pronounce “bijou”?
“Bijou” is pronounced bee-ZHOO (/biˈʒuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “bijou” in a sentence?
Here is “bijou” used in a sentence: “She kept the tiny bijou in a velvet box.”
What part of speech is “bijou”?
Depending on how it is used, “bijou” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “bijou” come from?
The word “bijou” comes from French. Borrowed directly from French bijou, meaning "jewel.".
How many meanings does “bijou” have?
“Bijou” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, delicate piece of jewelry or a trinket.
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