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 of gem

Noun

• jewel
• rock

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

Cam Schlittler, the former Walpole High and Northeastern University standout who ended the Red Sox’s season with his Game 3 gem in the American League Wild Card Series last fall, was brilliant in his first professional start at Fenway Park. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Locals often describe Elizabeth Creamery as a hidden gem — a small, friendly spot with homemade ice cream and a loyal following that keeps people coming back. —Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026

Verb

While Uzbeks often gem their plovs with raisins and chickpeas, Karakalpaks use only root vegetables and a shimmer of cottonseed oil—a reflection of scarcity in a dish usually defined by abundance. —Michael Snyder, Saveur, 11 Mar. 2026

These Amazon gems clock in under $25, but don’t let the price tag fool you — each one is clever, practical, and just indulgent enough to feel special. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for gem

• clem
• em
• femme
• hem
• phlegm
• rem
• stem
• them
• atm
• chernozem
• diadem
• ibidem

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