gem

1 of 3

noun

ˈjem 

1

a

: jewel

b

: a precious or sometimes semiprecious stone cut and polished for ornament

2

a

: something prized especially for great beauty or perfection

b

: a highly prized or well-beloved person

3

: muffin

gem

2 of 3

verb

gemmed; gemming

transitive verb

: to adorn with or as if with gems

GEM

3 of 3

abbreviation

ground-effect machine

Synonyms

Noun

• brilliant
• gemstone
• jewel
• rock [slang]

Examples of gem in a Sentence

Noun

The house is a gem of colonial architecture.

He pitched a gem of a game.

Her most recent novel is a real gem.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This fun comedy is a hidden gem on the streamer starring Eddie Murphy as real-life legend Rudy Ray Moore, a comedy and rap pioneer who proved naysayers wrong when his hilarious, obscene, kung-fu fighting alter ego, Dolemite, became a 1970s Blaxploitation phenomenon. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

While different age demographics tend to want different things out of their vacation destinations, travelers of all ages can appreciate a hidden gem. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2025

Verb

Consider this Tata Harper gem the fountain of youth in oil form. —Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 29 Nov. 2022

Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have also laid claim to gem as well, which was the possession of many rulers, including India’s Mughal emperors, before coming into the hands of the British monarchy. —Niha Masih, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gemme, from Anglo-French, from Latin gemma bud, gem

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gem

noun

ˈjem

1

a

: jewel entry 1

b

: a usually valuable stone cut and polished for ornament

2

: something prized as being beautiful or perfect

gem verb