Jewel
n.joyful, thoughtfulwarm
What it means
A person, place, or thing prized for exceptional beauty, quality, or value.
Reach for it when using a precious-object metaphor for something genuinely distinctive
The restored theater is a jewel in the center of town.
Choose between these
7- playful
informal admiration focuses on appearance
not when Calling a person a beauty can objectify them and says little about quality.
- everyday
deep value and affection outweigh visual brilliance
not when Treasure is broader and more emotionally possessive.
- warm
quiet exceptional worth or charm is the point
not when Gem is more intimate and often suggests a pleasant discovery.
- professional
showpiece
an object or place demonstrates the finest work publicly
not when Showpiece prioritizes display and may not be intrinsically precious.
- professional
comparative quality is clear among peers
not when Standout can be noticeable for reasons other than beauty or lasting value.
- formal
pride
a community or organization values something as a source of honor
not when Pride names the relationship, not the exceptional object itself.
- literary
crown jewel
one asset stands above all others in a collection
not when Crown jewel is stronger and creates a ranking that may be unwarranted.
Said against
3- eyesore
- dud
- trifle
It naturally appears in
3- architectural jewel
The bathhouse is an architectural jewel that still serves local swimmers.
- hidden jewel
A hidden jewel of a courtyard lies behind the busy market.
- jewel of the collection
The hand-drawn atlas is the jewel of the collection because every revision survives.
Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English noun figurative sense: highly valued person or thing opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.