Jewel — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈjü-əl/ jew·el

Meaning & Definition of Jewel

Jewel (noun)

  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

Jewel (verb)

  1. to adorn or equip with jewels
  2. to give beauty to as if with jewels, embellish

Jewel (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a usually valuable stone cut and polished for ornament

    "a necklace set with priceless jewels"

    similar: brilliant, gem, gemstone, rock (slang)
    related: bauble, bijou, trinket, birthstone, baguette, cabochon, cameo, scarab, solitaire, teardrop, paste, rhinestone, zircon, crown jewels, jewelry
    near: rough

  2. an asset that brings praise or renown

    "an illuminated medieval manuscript that is the jewel of the library's collection of rare books"

    similar: boast, credit, crown jewel, glory, honor, pride, treasure, trophy, a feather in one's cap
    related: pièce de résistance, showpiece, attraction, feature, highlight, distinction, excellence, merit, value, virtue
    near: disgrace, dishonor, blemish, blot, defect, shame, slur, smirch, smudge, stain, stigma, eyesore, fright, horror, mess

  3. someone or something unusually desirable

    "a star athlete who would be a jewel for any team"

    similar: catch, gem, pearl, plum, prize, treasure
    related: blessing, find, godsend, goody, valuable, windfall, booty, loot, plunder, spoil, swag, brass ring, glory, pride, gold, jackpot, prize money, treasure trove
    near: lemon, loser

Jewel (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in diamond, pearl

    similar: diamond, gem, impearl, pearl, accessorize, dress up, trap, trick (out), brighten, freshen, smarten, spruce (up), boss, chase, braid, embroider, feather, figure, filigree, fillet, flounce, frill, fringe, furbelow, garland, hang, lace, ribbon, swag, wreathe, appliqué, gild, paint, redecorate, redo, adorn, array, beautify, bedeck, bedizen, blazon, caparison, deck, decorate, do, doll up, do up, drape, dress, embellish, emblaze, emboss, enrich, fancify, fancy up, festoon, garnish, glitz (up), grace, gussy up, ornament, pretty (up), trim
    opposite: simplify, streamline, bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover, uglify, blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil

Related Entry: Jewel box (noun)

Jewel box is a different word from Jewel. The synonyms below are for jewel box, not for jewel.

  1. as in tinderbox, hatbox

    similar: bandbox, hatbox, snuffbox, tinderbox, minaudière, caisson, hope chest, canteen, compartment, vault, coffin, coffer, lockbox, safe, safe-deposit box, strongbox, footlocker, sea chest, carton, crate

Related Entry: Jewel boxes (noun)

Jewel boxes is a different word from Jewel. The synonyms below are for jewel boxes, not for jewel.

  1. as in tinderboxes, hatboxes

    similar: bandboxes, hatboxes, snuffboxes, tinderboxes, minaudières, caissons, hope chests, canteens, compartments, vaults, coffins, coffers, lockboxes, safe-deposit boxes, safes, strongboxes, footlockers, sea chests, cartons, crates

Related Entry: Crown jewel (noun)

Crown jewel is a different word from Jewel. The synonyms below are for crown jewel, not for jewel.

  1. an asset that brings praise or renown

    "the city's crown jewel is an emerald necklace of lushly landscaped parks"

    similar: boast, credit, glory, honor, jewel, pride, treasure, trophy, a feather in one's cap
    related: pièce de résistance, showpiece, attraction, feature, highlight, distinction, excellence, merit, value, virtue
    near: disgrace, dishonor, blemish, blot, defect, shame, slur, smirch, smudge, stain, stigma, eyesore, fright, horror, mess

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Jewel

The most common words with a similar meaning to Jewel:

Slang: rock
brilliant, gem, gemstone, boast, credit, crown jewel, glory, honor, pride, treasure, trophy, catch, pearl, plum, prize, a feather in one's cap, diamond, impearl, accessorize, dress up, trap, trick (out), brighten, freshen, smarten, spruce (up), boss, chase, braid, embroider, feather, figure, filigree, fillet, flounce, frill, fringe, furbelow, garland, hang

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Jewel

Words with the opposite meaning of Jewel:

simplify, streamline, bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover, uglify, blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil

Related Words for Jewel

bauble, bijou, trinket, birthstone, baguette, cabochon, cameo, scarab, solitaire, teardrop, paste, rhinestone, zircon, crown jewels, jewelry, pièce de résistance, showpiece, attraction, feature, highlight, distinction, excellence, merit, value, virtue, blessing, find, godsend, goody, valuable

Near Antonyms of Jewel

rough, disgrace, dishonor, blot, defect, shame, slur, smirch, smudge, stain, stigma, eyesore, fright, horror, mess, lemon, loser

Word Forms of Jewel

Inflections: jeweled, jewelled, jeweling, jewelling

Derived words: jewellike (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Jewel

Middle English juel, from Anglo-French, diminutive of ju, jeu game, play, from Latin jocus game, joke joke

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Jewel

jewel box, jewel tone, jewel in the crown, crown jewel

Frequently Asked Questions about Jewel

What does "Jewel" mean?

"Jewel" means a precious stone, gem. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a precious stone, gem. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Jewel"?

Other words for "Jewel" include brilliant, gem, gemstone, rock, boast, credit, crown jewel and glory. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Jewel" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Jewel"?

There are 118 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Jewel". Common alternatives include brilliant, gem, gemstone, rock, boast, credit, crown jewel, glory, honor and pride.

What is the opposite of "Jewel"?

Antonyms of "Jewel" include simplify, streamline, bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest and expose. Near antonyms include rough, disgrace, dishonor and blot.

How do you use "Jewel" in a sentence?

Examples of "Jewel" in a sentence: "a necklace set with priceless jewels"; "an illuminated medieval manuscript that is the jewel of the library's collection of rare books"; "a star athlete who would be a jewel for any team".

Is "Jewel" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Jewel" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Jewel"?

"Jewel" is pronounced /ˈjü-əl/ and divided into syllables as jew·el.

What is the origin of the word "Jewel"?

"Jewel" comes from Middle English juel, from Anglo-French, diminutive of ju, jeu game, play, from Latin jocus game, joke joke. First known use: 14th century.