bijou
Americannoun
-
bijoux
plural
-
a jewel.
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something small, delicate, and exquisitely wrought.
noun
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something small and delicately worked, such as a trinket
-
ironic (modifier) small but elegant and tasteful
a bijou residence
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bijou
1660–70; < French < Breton bizou (jeweled) ring, derivative of biz finger; cognate with Cornish bisou finger-ring, derivative of bis finger
Explanation
A bijou is a small, intricately crafted item, often used to describe elegant jewelry. It can also refer to a charming, cozy place, like a beautifully decorated apartment. Bijou is a versatile word that comes from French, meaning "jewel." As a noun, it often refers to a small, elegant piece of jewelry, like a lovely brooch or a finely crafted ring. As an adjective, bijou describes something that is charmingly small or exquisitely made. Imagine a cozy café filled with delightful decorations or a beautifully designed piece of art — both can be called bijou.
Vocabulary lists containing bijou
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“Watermark is also a must,” says Maul of the bijou bookstore.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 16, 2022
The bijou dwelling is an example of what campaigners say is a growing phenomenon of micro-homes, driven by high rent and property prices.
From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2022
We do not wonder that Mr. Morton’s face beams in satisfaction when he contemplates the result of his labors to make his new “club house” the bijou of the town.
From Slate ● Jun. 2, 2019
It was a bijou steak house compared to the wood-panelled leviathans they would eventually launch.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 17, 2019
Their new home was a little bijou of a cottage, and Cora went to work with a light heart.
From Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. XLII., May 1851 by Various
Liam Gallagher has his debut solo album out on 6 October, and is deploying a bijoux marketing campaign based on musical snippets, a mysterious poster campaign, and word of mouth from key influencers.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 10, 2017
First of all, I’m obsessed with jewelry and bijoux.
From Forbes ● Feb. 24, 2015
Each of Carr’s bijoux is truly a work of art, conjuring its namesake—a frog prince, phoenix chicks—from mesmerizing gemstones.
From Architectural Digest ● Oct. 7, 2014
But if Ms. Von Teese hopes to become a household name, the kind that sells bijoux and bedding, she has her work cut out for her.
From New York Times ● Nov. 24, 2012
Sullenly I followed her while she discussed the bijoux that littered the shelves, and the deep modulations of her voice insensibly mollified me.
From The Collectors by Frank Jewett Mather
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
