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

• gemless adjective
• gemlike adjective
• gemmy 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

Who would be surprised at them finding another gem out of nowhere?

Read more on BBC

But the collection’s real gem arrives in the form of “Anthology 4,” in which fans are treated to a host of fresh outtakes spanning the whole of The Beatles’ career as recording artists.

Read more on Salon

Instead, he relished the role of collaborator, seeing himself as a “musical jeweler” concerned with providing a setting for the gem that is a singer’s voice.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She returned the gem to her pocket and resumed walking.

Read more on Literature

He cradled the object inside like a delicate gem.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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