Added 9 October 2026
gem
/d͡ʒɛm/ symbol
In Latin: gemma Wiktionary
symbol Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about gem at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
noun
- A precious stone, usually of substantial monetary value or prized for its beauty or shine.
-
Any precious or highly valued thing or person.
She's an absolute gem.
-
Anything of small size, or expressed within brief limits, which is regarded as a gem on account of its beauty or value, such as a small picture, a verse of poetry, or an epigram.
a gem of wit
verb
- To adorn with, or as if with, gems.
Origin
Inherited from Middle English gemme, gimme, yimme, ȝimme, from Old English ġimm, from Proto-West Germanic *gimmu (“gem”) and Old French gemme (“gem”), both from Latin gemma (“a swelling bud; jewel, gem”). Doublet of gemma and Gemma.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)