# jewels

/ˈdʒuəɫz/ (US) · /dʒˈuːəlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jewels
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. precious stones

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- The crown was covered in beautiful jewels that sparkled under the lights.
- The museum's collection includes rare jewels recovered from shipwrecks, many of which retain their brilliance despite centuries underwater.

### 2. male anatomy

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal · Humorous

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

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

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

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

## Examples

- The queen wore a crown covered in sparkling jewels.
- Thieves broke into the museum at night and stole a collection of ancient jewels worth millions.
- The sunlight caught the facets of the jewels, casting a spectrum of vibrant colors across the velvet lining of the display case.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.