gold

1 of 2

noun

ˈgōld How to pronounce gold (audio)
plural golds
Synonyms of goldnext
1
: a yellow metallic element with atomic number 79 that occurs naturally in pure form and is used especially in coins, jewelry, and electronics see Chemical Elements Table
2
a(1)
: gold coins
(2)
: a gold piece
b
: money
c
: gold standard sense 1
3
: a variable color averaging deep yellow
4
: something resembling gold
especially : something valued as the finest of its kind
a heart of gold
5
: a medal awarded as the first prize in a competition : a gold medal

gold

2 of 2

adjective

1
: made of or containing gold
a gold ring/watch
a gold mine
2
: having a gold color : golden
gold eyes
an orange and gold cat
a blue shirt with gold stripes
3
: qualifying for a gold record
Phrases
go gold
: to have enough sales to qualify for a gold record
the album went gold

Synonyms

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of gold in a Sentence

Noun diamonds in a setting of 24-karat gold What is the price of gold?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The presentation is effective in clarifying light’s importance as a religious metaphor in the gold embossing, as well as being an actual material in the chapel where the altar was placed. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024 But some people criticized the lavish affair — which included a gold carriage procession and a display of the monarchy’s jewels — as an insensitive extravagance while millions across the country were struggling financially. —Anna Cooban, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
People with gold status on Play Points can claim a 30% discount on a Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro / XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, according to redditors who have claimed the deal. —Janhoi McGregor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Botta boots, a black Dior Saddle Bag, a gold Chanel quilted cutout plate double chain necklace and Louis Vuitton's gold Louise PM Earrings. —Hedy Phillips, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gold 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, going back to Old English, neuter strong noun, going back to Germanic *gulþa-/*gulđa- (with varying accentuation, whence also Old Frisian, Old Saxon, and Old High German gold "gold," Old Norse gull, goll, Gothic gulþ), going back to dialectal Indo-European *ǵhl̥(h3)-to-, with full-grade ablaut *ǵhel(h3)-to- (in Latvian zȩ̀lts "gold," Old Prussian sealtmeno "oriole") and o-grade *ǵhol(h3)-to- (in Slavic *zȍlto, whence Old Church Slavic zlato "gold," Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian zlâto, Polish złoto, Russian zóloto), all derivatives with the adjectival suffix *-to- from Indo-European *ǵhelh3- "yellow, green" — more at yellow entry 1

Note: The formation of a word for "gold" from a *-to- derivative of Indo-European *ǵhelh3- "yellow, green" is peculiar to Germanic, Slavic, and, in part, Baltic. An Indo-Iranian word for "gold" is formed with different suffixation from the same root: *ǵhl̥h3-en-i̯o-, whence Sanskrit híranya- "gold," Avestan zarańiia-. A full display of forms in medieval and modern languages and loans into non-Indo-European languages is contained in the article "Indo-European 'Gold' in Time and Space" by Václav Blažek, Journal of Indo-European Studies, vol. 45, No. 3 (fall/winter 2017), pp. 267-311.

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gold was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing gold

Dictionary Entries Near gold

Golconda

gold

gold-and-silver flower

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Gold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gold. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

gold

noun
ˈgōld
1
: a soft yellow metallic element that is used especially in coins and jewelry see element
2
a
: gold coins
b
: money sense 1a
3
: a deep yellow
4
: a medal awarded as the first prize in a competition : a gold medal
gold adjective

Medical Definition

gold

noun
ˈgōld How to pronounce gold (audio)
often attributive
: a malleable ductile yellow metallic element that occurs chiefly free or in a few minerals and is used especially in coins, jewelry, and dentures and in the form of its salts (as gold sodium thiomalate) especially in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
—symbol Au see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on gold

Nglish: Translation of gold for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of gold for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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