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.

5. British Printing.,  a 4-point type of a size between brilliant and diamond.

verb (used with object)

gemmed, gemming 

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

Other Word Forms

• gemmy adjective
• gemlike adjective
• gemless 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

The Huntington gardens receive a lot of credit, which they deserve, but there are so many hidden gems in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Her delighted scrolling through a thicket of ads on a clickbait article on a tip Brad Pitt left someone is a little comic gem.

From Los Angeles Times

"He can help find really good value in players that might not necessarily be the normal fit, but be hidden gems for Newcastle."

From BBC

Diamond consultant Rob Wake-Walker, who was brought in to value the gems that April, says: "Our first question was actually to ask if there was any more."

From BBC

Long-term residents of the Prim Building, a 1920s architectural gem located in La Juárez district, they were visited by officials clutching eviction papers.

From BBC

Related Words

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