touchstone
3 synonyms for touchstone, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A dark stone once used to test the purity of gold or silver by rubbing the metal on it and examining the streak left behind.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use touchstone
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a touchstone for
serve as a touchstone
Etymology
A compound of touch and stone, from the literal stone used to test metals.
Full origin of touchstone →Frequently asked questions
What does “touchstone” mean?
The word “touchstone” means a dark stone once used to test the purity of gold or silver by rubbing the metal on it and examining the streak left behind. In plain terms, something used as a standard to judge or measure the quality of other things.
How do you pronounce “touchstone”?
“Touchstone” is pronounced TUHCHS-tohn (/ˈtʌt͡ʃstəʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “touchstone” in a sentence?
Here is “touchstone” used in a sentence: “Jewelers once relied on a touchstone to check the purity of gold.”
What part of speech is “touchstone”?
“Touchstone” is a noun.
How many meanings does “touchstone” have?
“Touchstone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dark stone once used to test the purity of gold or silver by rubbing the metal on it and examining the streak left behind.
Related words
bellwether
benchmark
capstone
cornerstone
exemplar
keystone
model
norm
philosopher's stone
reference
tester
