English Reference
noun

jewels

n.
US /ˈdʒuəɫz/ UK /dʒˈuːəlz/ jew·els

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    valuable stones like diamonds, rubies, or emeralds, often used in rings or necklaces.

    precious or semi-precious stones, typically cut and polished for use in ornamentation or horology.

    Simple

    The crown was covered in beautiful jewels that sparkled under the lights.

    In context

    The museum's collection includes rare jewels recovered from shipwrecks, many of which retain their brilliance despite centuries underwater.

    gemsgemstonesprecious stones
  2. 02 C1 Advanced SlangInformalHumorous

    a slang way to talk about a man's testicles.

    a slang euphemism for the testicles, often appearing in the phrase 'family jewels'.

    Simple

    The player was worried about getting hit in the jewels during the game.

    In context

    He instinctively protected his family jewels when he saw the stray football flying directly toward him.

    Usage

    Usually appears as 'the jewels' or 'the family jewels'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a common euphemism in comedy or casual conversation; learners should be aware of the double meaning to avoid accidental humor.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Frequent
Updated