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 of jewel

Noun

• gem
• rock

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

That’s a question being posed of the current jewels of the US fleet – its aircraft carriers. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025

Over the summer, Megan Fox and manicurist Brittney Boyce debuted a silver chrome set decorated with gems that looked like the coolest vintage costume jewelry, and prior to that, actor Kat Dennings flexed her DIY skills with stick-on jewels all over her nails. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 22 Dec. 2025

Verb

While the ruby slippers featured 2,300 sequins, the newer pumps were hand-jeweled with 1,165 Preciosa crystals. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 Nov. 2025

Which leads us to our current flight of fancy—which jewels currently on the market would be perfect for Hollywood legends? —Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Verb

derivative of jewel entry 1

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

Rhymes for jewel

• cruel
• dual
• duel
• fuel
• gruel
• newel
• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual

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