gold

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
: a yellow metallic element 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
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

: qualifying for a gold record
Phrases
go gold
: to have enough sales to qualify for a gold record
the album went gold

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
Noun
Quaresma says the gold bars are her company's attempt to bring Portugal's relationship with tendency food to the masses. Michael Dobuski, ABC News, 26 Nov. 2023 It’s made of durable waterproof waxed cotton twill with a preppy corduroy collar and dainty gold buttons. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 26 Nov. 2023 For the outing, Ratajkowski, 32, wore a brown overshirt, a matching up, baggy black trousers, black heels and a gold choker. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 26 Nov. 2023 This price is only for three colors, however, navy, black with silver hardware, and black with gold hardware. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2023 That’s because power has long been synonymous with bejeweled adornment, from ancient Sumerian rulers buried in their gold chains to Indian maharajas festooned with garlands of rubies and diamonds. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2023 Not only will the flickering light and gentle scent of this candle provide a soothing experience for the tired mom in your life but the delicate gold butterflies start to spin when heated, providing a beautiful display. Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2023 There are five shades to choose from, including gold/gray, gray/cappuccino, eucalyptus/gray, and more. Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023 There’s also a deal on a glitzy gold version of the Ascent series Vitamix. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 24 Nov. 2023
Adjective
Adele dressed cozily for the evening, wrapping up in a cream sweater, khaki green pants, gold necklaces and metallic gold chunky earrings. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023 Dress it up with gold chains and heels for a glam look, or go casual with statement earrings and flats. Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023 Several necklaces loop around her neck, including a gold one with a pendant of the letter B for her 8-year-old son, Boaz. Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023 Photograph: Mariya Borisova/Getty Images Snail facial serum with gold flakes for $3.20, a litter box for $2.34, and candles shaped and scented like Starbucks Frappuccinos for $5.63. Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 20 Nov. 2023 Some of these rappers had gold chains that cost tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands, or in some cases, millions of dollars. Jane Thier, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2023 In addition to featuring the same exterior and interior pockets as the brand’s other belt bags, it’s also designed with gold accents for an extra touch of style. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2023 The bike’s five-piece body and eight-liter fuel tank are finished in battleship grey and adorned with the Union Jack, the gold Méttise logo, and a reproduction of the star’s signature. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2023 Using stamps and a gold stamp pad, stamp a gold crown or other image and your family's surname initial, let dry, then rub the surface with chalk. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

1969, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near gold

Cite this Entry

“Gold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gold. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.

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
3
: a deep yellow
4
: a medal awarded as the first prize in a competition : a gold medal
gold adjective

Medical Definition

gold

noun
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

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