jewel
JOO-uhl
Jewel (noun) means a precious stone, especially one cut and polished for use in jewellery. Example: “A single jewel glittered at the centre of the crown.”
noun
1
A precious stone, especially one cut and polished for use in jewellery.
"A single jewel glittered at the centre of the crown."
"The ring held a deep blue jewel that sparkled in the candlelight."
"He spent months searching for a perfect jewel to give his wife."
2
Something regarded as especially precious or admirable.
"The small coastal village is a jewel most tourists never find."
"Our youngest daughter is the jewel of the family and everyone adores her."
"This little bakery is a true jewel of the town's high street."
How to use jewel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gemstone, or figuratively, anything treasured as rare and valuable.
Common pairings
crown jewel
hidden jewel
jewel box
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Word forms
- Plural
- jewels
- Third person singular
- jewels
- Past tense
- jeweled, jewelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A single _____ glittered at the centre of the crown.
Etymology
From an Old French word of uncertain origin, possibly linked to Latin words for "joy" or "joke" — the exact root is debated by historians.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “jewel” mean?
The word “jewel” means a precious stone, especially one cut and polished for use in jewellery. In plain terms, a gemstone, or figuratively, anything treasured as rare and valuable.
How do you pronounce “jewel”?
“Jewel” is pronounced JOO-uhl (/d͡ʒul/ in IPA).
How do you use “jewel” in a sentence?
Here is “jewel” used in a sentence: “A single jewel glittered at the centre of the crown.”
What part of speech is “jewel”?
“Jewel” is a noun.
Where does the word “jewel” come from?
The word “jewel” comes from Latin. From an Old French word of uncertain origin, possibly linked to Latin words for "joy" or "joke" — the exact root is debated by historians.
Is “jewel” a common word?
“Jewel” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “jewel” have?
“Jewel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a precious stone, especially one cut and polished for use in jewellery.
What is the difference between a jewel and jewelry?
A jewel is typically a single precious stone, especially one cut and polished, while jewelry refers to the finished ornamental items, such as rings or necklaces, that may incorporate jewels along with metal settings. Jewelry is the broader category of wearable adornment.
Can 'jewel' be used figuratively rather than literally?
Yes, jewel is often used figuratively to describe something regarded as especially precious or admirable, beyond literal gemstones. For example, a beloved place or person can be called 'a jewel.'
What is the difference between a jewel and a gem?
Jewel and gem are closely related and often used interchangeably to mean a precious stone, though jewel can also carry the extended figurative sense of something highly prized, which gem uses less commonly.
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