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Definition of gem noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

gem

noun
 
/dʒem/
 
/dʒem/
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  1. (also less frequent gemstone
     
    /ˈdʒemstəʊn/
     
    /ˈdʒemstəʊn/
    )
    a precious stone that has been cut and polished and is used in jewellery synonym jewel, precious stone
    • a crown studded with gems
    Extra Examples
    • a belt studded with priceless gems
    • a millionairess dripping with gems and pearls
    Topics Clothes and Fashionc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • precious
    • priceless
    phrases
    • encrusted with gems
    • studded with gems
    See full entry
  2. a person, place or thing that is especially good
    • This picture is the gem (= the best) of the collection.
    • a gem of a place
    • She's a real gem!
    compare jewel
    Extra Examples
    • The second side of their new album contains some real gems.
    • This is a gem of a show.
    • architectural gems like York Minster
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • little
    • absolute
    • real
    phrases
    • a gem of a something
    See full entry
  3. Word OriginOld English gim, from Latin gemma ‘bud, jewel’; influenced in Middle English by Old French gemme.
See gem in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
previously
adverb
 
 
From the Word list
Oxford 3000
B1
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