noun
bijou
bee-ZHOO
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
Word Forms
more bijou comparative, bijous plural, bijoux plural, most bijou superlative
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She kept the tiny _____ in a velvet box.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from French bijou, meaning "jewel."