bijou: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, literary, and descriptive; used particularly in advertising/property contexts.
Quick answer
What does “bijou” mean?
A small, elegant, and delicately crafted piece of jewellery or ornament.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, elegant, and delicately crafted piece of jewellery or ornament.
Used to describe anything small, stylish, and intricate, especially houses or flats (apartments), or a highly polished, small-scale artistic work.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'bijou' is strongly associated with property listings ('a bijou flat'). This real estate usage is much rarer in American English, where it is primarily used for jewellery or figurines.
Connotations
In British property ads, it can be a euphemism for 'very small'. In American English, it is a more neutral, sophisticated descriptor for small, exquisite objects.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in UK English, largely due to its real estate niche. Rare in general American discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “bijou” in a Sentence
adjective + bijou + noun (e.g., 'a bijou apartment')a + bijou + of + noun (e.g., 'a bijou of a cottage')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bijou” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- They purchased a bijou cottage in the Cotswolds.
- The estate agent described the studio as 'bijou' to gloss over its size.
American English
- Her bijou pendant was the talk of the gala.
- The gallery displayed several bijou sculptures.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in real estate marketing (especially UK) to positively frame a property's small size.
Academic
Rare; potentially in art history or material culture studies describing small decorative objects.
Everyday
Uncommon; might be used humorously or descriptively for a small, nice item or space.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bijou”
- Using it to mean 'cheap' or 'gaudy' (it means the opposite).
- Using it for large objects.
- Pronouncing the 'j' as /dʒ/ (it's /ʒ/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not idiomatic to describe a person as 'bijou'. It is used for objects, spaces, or works of art.
Primarily positive, implying elegance and quality within a small scale. However, in British property listings, it can be a knowingly humorous euphemism for 'very small'.
It is a loanword from French, where it means 'jewel'. It entered English in the mid-18th century.
Yes, its original and core use is as a noun meaning a small piece of jewellery. The adjectival use (e.g., 'a bijou flat') developed later.
A small, elegant, and delicately crafted piece of jewellery or ornament.
Bijou is usually formal, literary, and descriptive; used particularly in advertising/property contexts. in register.
Bijou: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbiːʒuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /biˈʒuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A bijou of a place (intensifying its small charm).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BIJOU' as 'BE a JEWEL' – it's a small, jewel-like thing.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMALL IS PRECIOUS / SMALL IS ELEGANT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bijou' most commonly used in British English?