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

Noun

• gem
• rock [slang]

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

However, the jewel of the hotel is its shimmering heated saltwater pool. —Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025

Kardashian's jewels also featured two Lorraine Schwartz necklaces with approximately 250 carats of diamonds. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 9 July 2025

Verb

Along with her technical skills, Tupper’s multi-cultural experience, gift for ergonomic yet kinetic designs and sheer imagination make Cultus Artem jewels one of the more intriguing debuts during Paris Fashion Week. —Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

The strawberry, blackberry and raspberry fields of the Pajaro Valley stretch for 10 miles along the coast of California’s Monterey Bay, jeweled with fruit from April through early December. —Coral Davenport, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023

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

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