jewellery
B1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
Personal ornaments, such as necklaces, rings, or bracelets, that are typically made from or contain jewels and precious metals.
Objects of aesthetic value worn for personal adornment; can also refer to the art, craft, or business of making such items. May be used metaphorically to describe something delicate, intricate, or decorative.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an uncountable noun. Refers to items collectively; a single item is 'a piece of jewellery'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'jewellery' (UK) vs. 'jewelry' (US). Pronunciation differs accordingly.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotations are of value, adornment, luxury, or sentimentality. No significant connotative difference beyond spelling.
Frequency
The word is common in both varieties. The UK spelling 'jewellery' is consistently used in British, Australian, Canadian, and other Commonwealth English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[possessive] + jewellery (e.g., her jewellery)piece/bit/item of + jewelleryjewellery made of + [material]jewellery + [past participle] (e.g., jewellery stolen from)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the retail, manufacturing, or design sector; e.g., 'The jewellery market saw growth in Q3.'
Academic
Used in fields like art history, archaeology, or material culture studies; e.g., 'The burial site contained Iron Age jewellery.'
Everyday
Common in discussions of gifts, fashion, personal possessions, or theft; e.g., 'She put her jewellery in the safe.'
Technical
In gemmology, refers to pieces set with stones; in law, may be a specific category of insured property.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She wears beautiful jewellery.
- My grandmother gave me this jewellery.
- I keep my jewellery in a small box.
- He bought her a piece of jewellery for her birthday.
- The stolen jewellery was very valuable.
- Do you prefer gold or silver jewellery?
- The exhibition featured antique jewellery from the Victorian era.
- She inherited a collection of fine jewellery from her aunt.
- The insurance policy specifically covered her jewellery against theft.
- The intricacy of the Celtic jewellery demonstrated remarkable craftsmanship.
- Critics panned the film for its excessive focus on ostentatious jewellery rather than plot.
- His research focuses on the socio-economic significance of jewellery in medieval trade networks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'JEWEL + LERY' – it contains the word 'jewel', and in British English, it has more letters (like many UK spellings, e.g., colour, centre).
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUABLE OBJECTS ARE TREASURE (e.g., 'her jewellery was her treasure'); DECORATION IS LIGHT (e.g., 'her jewellery sparkled').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'ювелирный' which can refer to the craftsperson ('ювелир') or the adjective 'ювелирный' (as in 'ювелирное изделие' = piece of jewellery).
- Remember it is an uncountable noun. Do not say 'a jewellery' or 'jewelleries'. Use 'a piece of jewellery' or 'some jewellery'.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: Using 'jewelery' (a common misspelling).
- Countability: Treating it as a countable noun (*'I have three jewelleries').
- Pronunciation: Mispronouncing the second syllable as /weɫ/ instead of /əl/.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses the word 'jewellery' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Jewellery' is the standard spelling in British English. 'Jewelry' is the standard spelling in American English. They are pronounced similarly and mean the same thing.
No, 'jewellery' is an uncountable (mass) noun. To refer to a single item, say 'a piece of jewellery' or 'an item of jewellery'.
'A jewel' is a single precious stone (e.g., a diamond, ruby). 'Jewellery' refers to the finished decorative objects (e.g., a ring, necklace) that may contain jewels.
In British English, it's /ˈdʒuːəlri/ (JOO-uhl-ree). The common mistake is to pronounce it as 'JOO-well-ree'. Focus on the schwa /ə/ in the middle syllable.