gem

The word “gem” means a precious or semi-precious stone, especially one cut and polished for jewelry. In plain terms, a precious stone, or figuratively, anything or anyone considered wonderful or valuable.

“Gem” is pronounced jehm (/d͡ʒɛm/ in IPA).

Here is “gem” used in a sentence: “The ring was set with a single blue gem.”

Words with a similar meaning to “gem” include jewel and precious stone.

“Gem” is a noun.

The word “gem” comes from Latin. From Old English ġimm and Old French gemme, both ultimately from Latin gemma, meaning a jewel or a swelling bud on a plant.

“Gem” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

“Gem” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a precious or semi-precious stone, especially one cut and polished for jewelry.

A gemstone usually refers to the mineral itself, whether raw or cut, while gem often emphasizes the finished, polished stone ready to be set in jewelry. In everyday speech the two words are largely interchangeable, though gem also carries the figurative sense of anything of exceptional value.

A gem is the cut and polished precious or semi-precious stone itself, whereas a jewel more often refers to a finished piece of jewelry, such as a ring or brooch, that contains one or more gems. Both words are also used figuratively to praise a person or thing of great worth.

Calling someone a gem is a warm, informal compliment meaning they are exceptionally kind, helpful, or valuable, as in "she's an absolute gem." It draws on the sense of gem as something of exceptional quality rather than the literal stone.