bijou
Americannoun
plural
bijoux-
a jewel.
-
something small, delicate, and exquisitely wrought.
noun
-
something small and delicately worked, such as a trinket
-
ironic (modifier) small but elegant and tasteful
a bijou residence
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
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.
“Watermark is also a must,” says Maul of the bijou bookstore.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2022
After his friends go home, he makes for his bedroom, a bijou space to the rear of the apartment that’s appointed with a simple antique Iranian table and a Flos Parentesi lamp.
From New York Times • Mar. 23, 2022
Instead, Andrew’s bijou 60th gathering was held at Royal Lodge, home of the duke and his destranged wife, Duchess Fergie.
From The Guardian • Feb. 20, 2020
This isn’t a little bijou shelter either—it’s a major animal control operation that takes in every unwanted animal in the greater Orlando area, to the tune of 8,000 dogs per year.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2017
At any rate, the bijou is already bought above my head.
From The Sentimental Adventures of Jimmy Bulstrode by Vorst, Marie Van
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
