What does jeweled mean?
Jeweled is an adjective meaning decorated with jewels, gems, or other precious stones. It is especially common when describing objects associated with wealth, ceremony, or display, such as crowns, tiaras, necklaces, bracelets, and ornamental combs. The adjective can also be used figuratively to describe writing, scenery, or performance as glittering, brilliant, or richly ornamented. Jeweled is the standard American spelling, while British English traditionally uses jewelled. The word has a strongly positive, often luxurious connotation, presenting the object or description as valuable and visually dazzling. Although jeweled can sometimes mean made with precious stones, its most common implication is that an item is set, covered, or decorated with jewels. It is related to jewel, jewelry, and jeweler, sharing the same historical root and expressing the idea of precious adornment.
adjectiveDecorated with or covered in jewels, gems, or precious stones; figuratively, glittering or richly ornamented.
- Decorated with jewels, gems, or precious stones.
- Figuratively glittering or richly ornamented.
"The museum displayed a jeweled crown from the medieval period."
"The queen wore a jeweled crown during the ceremony."
"The writer's jeweled prose shimmered with images of light and color."
From crown jewels to jeweled tiara, this adjective turns precious stones into a way of describing brilliance and royal splendor.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of jeweled
Jeweled was formed in English by adding the adjective-forming suffix -ed to the noun jewel. Jewel entered Middle English through Anglo-French and Old French forms meaning a gem or ornament, ultimately belonging to a line of borrowing from Latin. The adjective developed alongside the English word and came to mean decorated with jewels; the spelling jewelled became especially associated with British usage. Related words such as jewelry, jeweler, and jewellery preserve the same historical root.
How jeweled is actually used
The form is especially associated with American spelling; British English traditionally uses jewelled, though jeweled is also understood there. It is commonly used for crowns, jewelry, combs, and other decorative objects, and can figuratively suggest exceptional brilliance or richness.
Easily confused with jeweled
Jewel is the noun for a gemstone or valuable ornament, while jeweled is the adjective describing something decorated with jewels.
Jewelled is the traditional British spelling of the same adjective, whereas jeweled is the standard American spelling.