Meaning & use
gemmy
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Meanings
adjectivecomparableliterary
Looking like a jewel, especially in being bright, clear, and shiny.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb: gemmy crystals, or the surface looked gemmy.
Patterns
- gemmy light
- gemmy surface
- look gemmy
The cave walls were covered in gemmy crystals that caught the torchlight.
Her necklace had a gemmy glow that made everyone look twice.
The polished stone gave off a gemmy sparkle in the sun.
adjectivenot comparableliteraryrare
Containing or set with gems; decorated with precious stones.
Grammar: Usually comes before the noun and is not used with 'more' or 'most': a gemmy crown, not 'more gemmy'.
Patterns
- gemmy crown
- gemmy ornament
The old king wore a gemmy crown at the ceremony.
The museum displayed a gemmy cup from the ancient tomb.
Word forms
| comparative | gemmier |
|---|---|
| superlative | gemmiest |
Common combinations
- gemmy light
- The gemmy light from the stained glass fell across the floor.
- gemmy surface
- The gemmy surface of the lake reflected the mountains perfectly.
- gemmy crystals
- Geologists found gemmy crystals inside the rock.
- gemmy sparkle
- There was a gemmy sparkle in her eyes when she laughed.
Synonyms and how they differ
- jewel-like
- This is a more everyday way to say something looks like a jewel, while 'gemmy' sounds more literary or technical.
- sparkly
- This focuses on small flashes of light, whereas 'gemmy' also suggests clarity and jewel-like quality.
Opposites
Word family
- gem noun
- A precious stone, especially when cut and polished.
- gemstone noun
- A mineral that can be cut and polished for use as a jewel.
Commonly confused: gemmy or gummy?
gemmy vs gummy
This means sticky or like gum, and sounds similar to 'gemmy', so make sure you use the right one.
Practice
Choose the sentence that uses 'gemmy' correctly.
Choose one answer.
Only option 1 uses 'gemmy' to mean jewel-like and shiny, which fits the context of crystals. The other options use 'gemmy' in ways that don't match its meaning or sound unnatural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gemmy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.