gem /dʒem/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: French ; Origin: gemme , from Latin gemma 'bud, jewel' ]
1 . ( also gem stone ) a beautiful stone that has been cut into a special shape SYN jewel :
precious gems
2 . something that is very special or beautiful:
Every single ad in the campaign has been a gem.
The Fortune is a tiny gem of a theatre.
gem of
little gems of advice
3 . a very helpful or special person:
Ben, you’re a real gem!
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ jewel a valuable stone, such as a diamond:
He had a large fortune in gold and jewels.
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the crown jewels (=the crown and other valuable objects worn by the king or queen on important royal occasions)
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a jewel thief
▪ precious stone a rare and valuable jewel such as a diamond or an ↑ emerald :
The handle of the sword was decorated with precious stones.
▪ gem ( also gemstone ) a jewel that has been cut into a special shape:
The cross had large red gems set into it.
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Her eyes were shining like gemstones.
▪ semi-precious stone a valuable stone, but one that is not as rare or valuable as a diamond, ruby, emerald etc:
Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious stone that was often used by the ancient Egyptians.
▪ solitaire technical a single jewel, especially a large diamond:
a gold ring with a diamond solitaire