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Meaning & use

jewels

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈdʒuːəlz/
US/ˈdʒuːəlz/

“jewels” is a form of “jewel”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nounplural

    small, valuable stones or pieces of jewelry, often worn as decoration.

    Grammar: Plural of jewel; used for more than one piece or a collection.

    Patterns

    • wear jewels
    • a set of jewels
    • the crown jewels

    She wore a necklace set with sparkling jewels.

    The queen's jewels are kept in a secure vault.

    Thieves stole jewels worth millions from the shop.

  2. nounplural

    valuable stones, especially when cut and polished for use in jewelry.

    Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'precious jewels' or 'jewels and gems'.

    Patterns

    • precious jewels
    • a box of jewels
    • jewels and gems

    The museum displays ancient jewels from Egypt.

    He gave her a gift of rare jewels.

    The pirates buried their jewels on the island.

  3. nounpluralfigurative

    a person or thing that is highly valued or admired.

    Grammar: Figurative use; often in phrases like 'the jewels of the collection'.

    Patterns

    • the jewels of something
    • a jewel in the crown

    This painting is one of the jewels of the gallery.

    The city's parks are the jewels of the region.

    Her kindness made her the jewel of the family.

Word forms

singularjewel

Common combinations

crown jewels
The crown jewels are on display at the tower.
family jewels
The family jewels were passed down for generations.
precious jewels
She kept her precious jewels in a safe.
jewels and gems
The shop sells jewels and gems from around the world.
a fortune in jewels
The robbery netted a fortune in jewels.

Synonyms and how they differ

gems
Usually refers to cut and polished stones, while jewels can also mean pieces of jewelry.
jewelry
A mass noun for the whole category; jewels are individual items.
treasures
Broader, including any valuable objects; jewels are specifically precious stones or ornaments.

Word family

jewel noun
A single precious stone or ornament.
jeweler noun
A person who makes or sells jewelry.
jewelry noun
Ornaments such as rings and necklaces, often made with jewels.
bejeweled adjective
Decorated with jewels.

Commonly confused: jewels or jewelry?

jewels vs jewelry

Jewelry is an uncountable noun for the whole category; jewels are countable items. You say 'a piece of jewelry', not 'a jewelry'.

Practice

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