gem

[ jem ]

noun

1. a cut and polished precious stone or pearl fine enough for use in jewelry.
2. something likened to or prized as such a stone because of its beauty or worth:

   His painting was the gem of the collection.

   Synonyms: pearl, jewel, prize, treasure

3. a person held in great esteem or affection.
4. muffin ( def 1 ).
5. British Printing. a 4-point type of a size between brilliant and diamond.

verb (used with object)

, gemmed, gem·ming.

1. to adorn with or as with gems; begem.

adjective

1. Jewelry. noting perfection or very high quality:

   gem color; a gem ruby.

gem

/ dʒɛm /

noun

1. a precious or semiprecious stone used in jewellery as a decoration; jewel
2. a person or thing held to be a perfect example; treasure
3. a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 4 point
4. a type of small sweet cake

verb

1. tr to set or ornament with gems

Derived Forms

• ˈgemmy, adjective
• ˈgemˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• gemless adjective
• gemlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gem¹

1275–1325; Middle English gemme < Old French < Latin gemma bud, jewel; replacing Middle English yimme, Old English gim ( m ) < Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of gem¹

C14: from Old French gemme, from Latin gemma bud, precious stone

Example Sentences

And while a hot dog may not seem like a culinary gem in a far-off country, ordering one is an immersive experience of everyday life in the Faroes.

From Salon

But crossing the pitch at Cliftonhill, an old-fashioned gem of a ground, is the wildest of the lot.

From BBC

He’s got a natural swagger on camera, and he produces approachable yet intimate content littered with gems of tennis knowledge.

From Los Angeles Times

The glass panels gleam in the sun, like an outsize version of the prismatic bluish-purple gem that glitters in the light.

From BBC

The club’s lockdown relief corps had just gotten a rare night off, thanks to Jack Flaherty’s seven-inning gem in Game 1.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hardware
• jewel
• jewelry
• masterpiece
• ornament
• stone