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.

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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

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verb

1. (tr) to set or ornament with gems

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

There are century-old historic gems in the countryside or simple homes in the suburbs.

From The Wall Street Journal

For those with an eye on a "renovated gem" she said there were a number within commuting distance of Edinburgh.

From BBC

That's a shame, as they contain some gems – not least All Alone, the heart-rending story of a young single mother whose life "never goes the way she may have wanted it to".

From BBC

Absolutely, if it sent me to a charming, far-flung gem like Saltburn, without sounding like a sponsored ad.

From The Wall Street Journal

The rapper's team argued in court that Saxon was an unlicensed contractor who "destroyed" the "architectural gem" while working there.

From BBC

Related Words

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