carat

1 of 3

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 3

noun (2)

car·​at ˈker-ət 

ˈka-rət

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

karat

3 of 3

noun (3)

kar·​at ˈker-ət 

ˈka-rət

variants or carat

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

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

Noun (3)

She was wearing an 18 karat gold bracelet.

Pure gold is 24 karats.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But the impressive 18-carat gold design has quite the story, as does the original World Cup trophy. — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Roach accessorized her ensemble with white Christian Louboutin pumps and 30 carats of diamond jewelry from Chopard. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 17 July 2026

Noun

The symbol has been translated into an 18-karat gold medallion set with cabochon garnets and pavé diamonds, available exclusively at the Mount Street store. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 17 July 2026

That same idea is used in the Excalibur Kabuto Legacy thanks to the tradition of métiers d’art, in which each of the samurai commanders is depicted with a micro-sculpted helmet crafted in 18-karat pink gold. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 July 2026

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

Noun (3)

Middle English carrat — more at carat

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1555, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for carat

• buret
• ferret
• garret
• karat
• merit
• parrot
• demerit
• inherit
• preterit
• disinherit

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