gem
Americannoun
-
gems
plural
-
a cut and polished precious stone or pearl fine enough for use in jewelry.
-
something likened to or prized as such a stone because of its beauty or worth.
His painting was the gem of the collection.
-
a person held in great esteem or affection.
-
British Printing. a 4-point type of a size between brilliant and diamond.
verb (used with object)
adjective
noun
-
a precious or semiprecious stone used in jewellery as a decoration; jewel
-
a person or thing held to be a perfect example; treasure
-
a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 4 point
-
a type of small sweet cake
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of gem
1275–1325; Middle English gemme < Old French < Latin gemma bud, jewel; replacing Middle English yimme, Old English gim ( m ) < Latin
Explanation
A gem is a precious or semi-precious stone, or a jewel. A silversmith might experiment with adding gems to her rings and necklaces. The sparkly gem in your grandmother's fancy ring might be a diamond, while your aunt appears to prefer the polished greenish-blue gems called turquoise. If you're trained to identify and put a value on gems, you can call yourself a gemologist. Gem is from the Old French gemme, which has a Latin root, gemma, "precious stone or jewel."
Vocabulary lists containing gem
In A Sedimental Mood: Rock and Gem Vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Essential Three-Letter Words, Part 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for January 27–February 2, 2024
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Here’s how to make the most out of the sprawling Hill Country, which even as it is changing still feels like a hidden gem.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
Boasting breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, this gem is located on a triangular 0.4-acre oceanfront lot.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
He finished his regular season with a gem against the Giants last week: seven three-hit innings on just 75 pitches.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
"That hidden gem kind of thing almost does not exist any more in football," says Kjaer.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
"Intelligence is essentially a banal trade of sifting through huge amounts of random information in a search for a single enlightening gem or illuminating link," he wrote.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
Johnson’s public comments are usually motivational gems such as “When you face a crisis, you know who your true friends are.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
People across the UK have been invited to nominate their local red phone box libraries for the books to help the campaign's organisers "uncover more hidden gems".
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Here are some of the hacks, quirks and unexpected gems that readers shared for getting the most out of a $65 annual membership.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
Some diamond suppliers are adding those gems to their inventories to boost sales, she said.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
I love a fresh mouth, ah, a scented mouth, And curving hair, subtle as a smoke, And light fingers, and laughter of green gems.
From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck
A search for “Barbie” on the company’s website returns rose-gold jewelry and pink gemmed rings.
From Reuters ● Jul. 23, 2023
Moreover, the first images of crosses portray them more as slender, gemmed staffs than as sturdy instruments of execution.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 14, 2017
The passing rivers, the sounds rising from street gratings, the gemmed bridges were recognizable in name, but transposed to a different key.
From New York Times ● Apr. 24, 2014
Depicted in his role as minister of justice, he wears an impressively gemmed and starchy crown, but the face below it looks miserable.
From New York Times ● Mar. 25, 2010
She loved the grand old forest-trees which waved in groups upon the lawn, and every tiny blossom that gemmed the turf at their roots.
From Silent Struggles by Ann S. (Ann Sophia) Stephens
When I woke I saw Mulvaney, the night-dew gemming his mustache, leaning on his rifle at picket, lonely as Prometheus on his rock, with I know not what vultures tearing his liver.
From International Short Stories English by Various
That door was flung back, and in the square of dripping darkness stood Creed Bonbright, his face death white, his eyes wide and fixed, the rain gemming his uncovered yellow hair.
From Judith of the Cumberlands by Alice MacGowan
Its little yellow stars may now be seen gemming the woodsides, when all around is cold, comfortless, and dead.
From Mirror of the Months by Peter George Patmore
Lady Frances observed it, and smiling said,— "You are gemming my ornaments, setting them in crystal instead of gold."
From The Buccaneer A Tale by Mrs. S. C. Hall
CORNFLOWERS, you say, just cornflowers, gemming the golden grain; Ah no!
From Rhymes of a Red Cross Man by Robert W. (Robert William) Service
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
