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)

, jew·eled, jew·el·ing or (especially British) jew·elled, jew·el·ling.

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. jewel in the crown
   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

Derived Forms

• ˈjewelled, adjective
• ˈjewel-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• jewel·like adjective
• un·jeweled adjective
• un·jewelled 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

For some, the jewel in Essex's crown could be Southend-on-Sea's famous pier, Colchester Castle or the historic woodland of Epping Forest.

From BBC

And if everything else I know of him were not enough, Chef Warren Leruth invented the masterpiece that is Oyster Artichoke Soup, though he called it Potage LeRuth, and for me that is a crowning jewel of his most esteemed accomplishments.

From Salon

This particular one, which depicts California’s crown jewel of natural wonders, is part of a collection designed by artist Gretchen Leggitt that also pays homage to the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

From Los Angeles Times

Pete Alonso, 30, 1B, Boras: One of the most popular players in Mets history, the Polar Bear is a power hitter — 226 homers in five-plus seasons — and clubhouse jewel.

From Los Angeles Times

This subtle subplot, performed so beautifully by Fiennes, is the true jewel at the center of the film.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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