jewel

¹

[joo-uhl]

noun

1. a cut and polished precious stone; gem.

2. a fashioned ornament for personal adornment, especially of a precious metal set with gems.

3. a precious possession.

4. a person or thing that is treasured, esteemed, or indispensable.

5. a durable bearing used in fine timepieces and other delicate instruments, made of natural or synthetic precious stone or other very hard material.

6. an ornamental boss of glass, sometimes cut with facets, in stained-glass work.

7. something resembling a jewel in appearance, ornamental effect, or the like, as a star.

verb (used with object)

jeweled, jeweling , jewelled, jewelling .

1. to set or adorn with jewels.

Jewel

²

[joo-uhl]

noun

1. a female given name.

jewel

/ ˈdʒuːəl /

noun

1. a precious or semiprecious stone; gem

2. a person or thing resembling a jewel in preciousness, brilliance, etc

3. a gemstone, often synthetically produced, used as a bearing in a watch

4. a piece of jewellery

5. an ornamental glass boss, sometimes faceted, used in stained glasswork

6. the most valuable, esteemed, or successful person or thing of a number

   who will be the jewel in the crown of English soccer?

verb

1. (tr) to fit or decorate with a jewel or jewels

Other Word Forms

• jewellike adjective
• unjeweled adjective
• unjewelled adjective
• jewelled adjective
• jewel-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jewel¹

1250–1300; Middle English jouel juel < Anglo-French jeul, Old French jouel, joel < Vulgar Latin *jocāle plaything, noun use of neuter of *jocālis (adj.) of play, equivalent to Latin joc ( us ) joke + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of jewel¹

C13: from Old French jouel, perhaps from jeu game, from Latin jocus

Example Sentences

"The Boat Race is rich in tradition and history and British interest in the event has never been stronger," he added, describing the event as the "crown jewel of the rowing calendar".

From BBC

But the crown jewel was her funeral sandwiches — which, despite the somber name, made an appearance anytime there was a crowd to feed.

From Salon

In short, late night is no longer the TV crown jewel it once was.

From Salon

"A lighter, slower, more domestic version - while ByteDance keeps the crown jewels in Beijing."

From BBC

“This is the golden jewel of the Marine Corps,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bauble 
• bead 
• bling 
• gem 
• gemstone 
• ornament 
• stone 
• trinket