noun
gem
jehm
noun
1
A precious or semi-precious stone, especially one cut and polished for jewelry.
"The ring was set with a single blue gem."
2
Something or someone of exceptional quality or value.
"This little café is a hidden gem."
"She's an absolute gem for helping out at short notice."
3
A software package or library for the Ruby programming language.
"He installed the gem to add the missing feature."
How to Use Gem
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA precious stone, or figuratively, anything or anyone considered wonderful or valuable.
Common pairings
hidden gem
precious gem
a real gem
Word Forms
gemmed past tense, gems plural, Gems plural, gems singular
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The ring was set with a single blue _____.
Etymology
From Old English ġimm and Old French gemme, both ultimately from Latin gemma, meaning a jewel or a swelling bud on a plant.