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Synonyms

gem

American  
[jem] / dʒɛm /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to set or ornament with gems

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • gemless adjective
  • gemlike adjective
  • gemmy adjective

Etymology

Origin of gem

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

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.

Her campaigns have included saving architectural gem Gorton Monastery from being converted into flats.

From BBC

India hopes to boost exports of textiles, steel, automobiles, frozen shrimp, garments, gems and jewelry, and leather goods, among other things.

From The Wall Street Journal

India said the EU would immediately eliminate duties on products making up the majority of its exports including textiles, leather and footwear, tea, coffee, spices, sports goods, toys, gems and jewellery, and certain marine products.

From Barron's

In a year set to be dominated by headline grabbing debuts, the real opportunity may lie in patiently watching which 2025 IPOs mature, where the patient investor could find the market’s hidden gems.

From Barron's

In a year set to be dominated by headline grabbing debuts, the real opportunity may lie in patiently watching which 2025 IPOs mature, where the patient investor could find the market’s hidden gems.

From Barron's

Definitions 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.