carat

1 of 2

noun (1)

car·​at

variant spelling of karat

: a unit of fineness for gold equal to ¹/₂₄ part of pure gold in an alloy

carat

2 of 2

noun (2)

car·​at ˈker-ət 

ˈka-rət

: a unit of weight for precious stones equal to 200 milligrams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a carat and a karat?

These two words are tricky, as one of them may refer both to the measurement of a precious stone's weight and to the purity of gold, while the other only refers to the purity of gold. Carat may be used for both, but karat is only employed in reference to gold.

What is weighed in carats?

Precious stones are weighed in carats; a single carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Carat is also a variant spelling of karat, which measures the purity (but not the weight) of gold.

How much is a carat?

If carat is serving as a variant spelling of karat, then it is measuring the fineness, rather than the weight, of gold; each carat is equal to 1/24 part of pure gold. If carat is being used in reference to precious stones, it is a unit of weight equal to 200 milligrams.

Examples of carat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The three diamonds that are the focus of the ring rest on a platinum band decorated with 18 brilliant-cut diamonds, with all the stones totaling about 4 carats. —Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024

Grande paired the gown with platinum jewels by Tiffany & Co., including a diamond necklace that highlighted a morganite pendant that exceeded 14 carats. —Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024

The three-row necklace highlighted two enormous diamonds—a 17.04 carat inverted pear-cut, and an 18.88 carat oval. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024

The Oscar-winning actress paired the look with more than 40 carats of De Beers diamond jewelry. —Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024

Finally, much also was made of Robbie’s Lorraine Schwartz jewels, which totaled 95 carats of diamonds and vaulted the famed designer into the No. 8 spot with an MIV of $226,000. —Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024

Swift’s black diamond choker timepiece necklace was also paired with layers and layers of diamonds by Schwartz totaling 300 carats. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2024

The lot was a pair of fancy vivid orange-yellow diamond earrings weighing 12.20 and 11.96 carats. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023

That’s why the irony is carats, using this metaphor of bling. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 18 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English carrat measure of fineness in gold, from Middle French carat measure of fineness in gold or of weight in gems, from Italian carato, from Arabic qīrāṭ bean pod, a small weight, from Greek keration carob bean, a small weight, from diminutive of kerat-, keras horn — more at horn

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1555, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

carat

1 of 2

variant of karat

carat

2 of 2 noun

car·​at ˈkar-ət 

: a unit of weight for precious gems (as diamonds) equal to 200 milligrams