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
jeweled or jewelled; jeweling or jewelling
Synonyms
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
Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2023
See Looking Glass Falls One of the jewels of Pisgah National Forest is Looking Glass Falls, a popular road trip stop and photo op.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2023
Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lopez looked romantic in a sheer Gucci gown and red jewels at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 6 Nov. 2023
From what looks like a royal jewel chest, a server pulls tiny drawers housing accoutrements—hoisin, scallions, matchsticks of cucumber, pickles, honeydew melon—then demonstrates the optimal technique for wrapping slices of meat and garnishes into bing pancakes, plucked from a bamboo steamer.
—Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2023
This teardrop earrings are a unique find and the blue of the jewel is so bright and bold.
—Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2023
This is a $3 million movie [shot] in 21 days and our DP shines it up like a jewel.
—Lorena O’Neil, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium may be the crown jewel of Tennessee music venues, but no live-music space goes as deep as the Caverns in Pelham, just southeast of town.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2023
The Washington Post surmised the jewels worn by the Vanderbilt women that night must have equaled a quarter of a million dollars—around $8 million today.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2023
Shane Harris, Souad Mekhennet and Yeganeh Torbati, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Dec. 2022
The mom of three accessorized with a pink clutch and strappy heels adorned with what appears to be jewel detailing, adding chunky hoop-like earrings to complete her ensemble.
—Olivia Jakiel, PEOPLE.com, 28 Feb. 2022
Intriguingly, each Feather Moon pendant is bathed in moonlight so that they jewel is infused with lunar energies.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2021
Tanzanite has become something of a must-have jewel for celebrities looking to spice up their outfit with a striking blue gem.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 June 2020
Supplies: Wide cuff Jeweled elastic bracelet Brooches and sparkly embellishments
Jeweled branch
Hot glue gun
Green floral tape
How to:
Step 1: Slide jeweled elastic bracelet around cuff and glue in place.
—Sarah Newell, Seventeen, 21 Feb. 2018
Shoes: Prada green velvet jeweled, $990, Neiman Marcus Fort Worth.
—Styled By Alexandrea Cohen/the Campbell Agency
photos By Ross Hailey
model Kathryn Havens/the Campbell Agency
hair and Makeup Artist Rick Flores/the Campbell Agency, star-telegram, 4 Oct. 2017
See More
Noun
Privacy, character and tasteful luxury blend with jaw dropping views of Los Angeles and Griffith Park, making this oasis of unique luxury a rare jewel in Los Feliz.
—Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2023
See Looking Glass Falls One of the jewels of Pisgah National Forest is Looking Glass Falls, a popular road trip stop and photo op.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2023
Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lopez looked romantic in a sheer Gucci gown and red jewels at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 6 Nov. 2023
From what looks like a royal jewel chest, a server pulls tiny drawers housing accoutrements—hoisin, scallions, matchsticks of cucumber, pickles, honeydew melon—then demonstrates the optimal technique for wrapping slices of meat and garnishes into bing pancakes, plucked from a bamboo steamer.
—Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2023
This teardrop earrings are a unique find and the blue of the jewel is so bright and bold.
—Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2023
This is a $3 million movie [shot] in 21 days and our DP shines it up like a jewel.
—Lorena O’Neil, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium may be the crown jewel of Tennessee music venues, but no live-music space goes as deep as the Caverns in Pelham, just southeast of town.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2023
The Washington Post surmised the jewels worn by the Vanderbilt women that night must have equaled a quarter of a million dollars—around $8 million today.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2023
Verb
Iran’s intelligence and security services rely largely on proxies to carry out their plans, offering hundreds of thousands of dollars to jewel thieves, drug dealers and other criminals in murder-for-hire schemes, the officials said.
—Shane Harris, Souad Mekhennet and Yeganeh Torbati, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Dec. 2022
The mom of three accessorized with a pink clutch and strappy heels adorned with what appears to be jewel detailing, adding chunky hoop-like earrings to complete her ensemble.
—Olivia Jakiel, PEOPLE.com, 28 Feb. 2022
Intriguingly, each Feather Moon pendant is bathed in moonlight so that they jewel is infused with lunar energies.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2021
Tanzanite has become something of a must-have jewel for celebrities looking to spice up their outfit with a striking blue gem.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 June 2020
Supplies: Wide cuff Jeweled elastic bracelet Brooches and sparkly embellishments
Jeweled branch
Hot glue gun
Green floral tape
How to:
Step 1: Slide jeweled elastic bracelet around cuff and glue in place.
—Sarah Newell, Seventeen, 21 Feb. 2018
Shoes: Prada green velvet jeweled, $990, Neiman Marcus Fort Worth.
—Styled By Alexandrea Cohen/the Campbell Agency
photos By Ross Hailey
model Kathryn Havens/the Campbell Agency
hair and Makeup Artist Rick Flores/the Campbell Agency, star-telegram, 4 Oct. 2017
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jewel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of jewel was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing jewel
Dictionary Entries Near jewel
Cite this Entry
“Jewel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jewel. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
jewel
2 of 2 verb
jeweled or jewelled; jeweling or jewelling
: to adorn or equip with jewels
More from Merriam-Webster on jewel
Nglish: Translation of jewel for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of jewel for Arabic Speakers
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