gems: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral
Quick answer
What does “gems” mean?
precious or semiprecious stones, especially when cut and polished for use in jewellery.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
precious or semiprecious stones, especially when cut and polished for use in jewellery.
Things, people, or places that are considered particularly excellent, valuable, or beautiful.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The singular 'gem' is used identically. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
Identical positive connotations of value, beauty, and rarity in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK English in historical/antique contexts (e.g., 'the Crown Jewels'), but overall frequency is comparable.
Grammar
How to Use “gems” in a Sentence
[Subject] contains/holds/displays gems.[Subject] is a collection of gems.[Subject] is set with gems.They unearthed/discovered [Direct Object: gems].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gems” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The craftsman carefully gems the royal tiara.
- The manuscript is gemmed with intricate illustrations.
American English
- The designer gems the watch faces for a luxury look.
- Her speech was gemmed with witty remarks.
adjective
British English
- The gem quality of the sapphire was exceptional.
- They visited the gem markets of Jaipur.
American English
- The gem dealer appraised the stones.
- It was a gem moment in an otherwise dull meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In luxury retail and jewellery: 'The new collection features ethically sourced gems.'
Academic
In geology or art history: 'The study catalogued the gems found in Roman hoards.'
Everyday
Metaphorical: 'That little bakery is a real gem.'
Technical
In gemmology: 'The refractometer helps identify unknown gems.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gems”
- Using 'gems' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'much gems' - incorrect; 'many gems' - correct).
- Confusing 'gems' with 'jewellery' (jewellery is the crafted item, gems are the stones).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the core meaning refers to precious stones, it is very commonly used metaphorically to describe anything exceptionally good or valuable (e.g., 'hidden gems' of a city, 'gems of wisdom').
A 'gem' or 'gemstone' is the cut and polished stone itself. A 'jewel' is a finished piece of personal adornment (like a ring or necklace) which may contain gems. 'Jewel' is also used metaphorically similar to 'gem'.
No, it is rare and somewhat literary/archaic. It means to adorn with or as if with gems. The metaphorical use ('gemmed with stars') is more frequent than the literal one.
The singular is 'gem', the regular plural is 'gems'. It is a countable noun, so you can have one gem or many gems. It is not used as a mass noun (you cannot have 'some gem').
precious or semiprecious stones, especially when cut and polished for use in jewellery.
Gems is usually neutral in register.
Gems: in British English it is pronounced /dʒɛmz/, and in American English it is pronounced /dʒɛmz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hidden gem (an excellent but little-known place or thing)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GEMS: Glittering, Excellent, Marvelous Stones.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUABLE IDEAS/PEOPLE/OBJECTS ARE PRECIOUS STONES (e.g., 'a gem of an idea', 'she's a real gem').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'gems' used metaphorically?