gold

The word “gold” means a soft, heavy, yellow precious metal used in jewellery, coins, and electronics. In plain terms, the precious yellow metal, a medal for winning, or (informally) anything hugely valuable.

“Gold” is pronounced gohld (/ɡoʊld/ in IPA).

Here is “gold” used in a sentence: “She wore a thin gold chain around her neck.”

Depending on how it is used, “gold” can be a noun and an adjective.

The word “gold” comes from Old English. From Old English gold, tracing back to a very old Indo-European root also connected to the word "yellow.".

“Gold” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Gold” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, heavy, yellow precious metal used in jewellery, coins, and electronics.

Gold is graded by purity in karats: 24-karat is pure gold, while 18k, 14k, and 9k are alloys mixed with other metals for strength. It also comes in colours — yellow, white, and rose gold — depending on the blend. Gold-plated and gold-filled items carry only a thin gold layer over a base metal.

Gold is rare, doesn't rust or tarnish, and is easy to shape, so it has been prized for thousands of years. It holds its worth over time, which is why people buy it as a store of value and a hedge against inflation. Add its beauty and its use in electronics, and demand stays strong.

Both are precious metals, but gold is yellow, denser, rarer, and far more valuable, and it never tarnishes. Silver is white-grey, cheaper, more plentiful, and can tarnish over time. Silver actually conducts electricity better, yet gold's resistance to corrosion makes it the preferred choice for critical electronic contacts.

Genuine gold is usually stamped with a purity mark such as 24k, 18k, or 585. It feels heavy for its size, doesn't rust, and isn't attracted to a magnet. Jewellers confirm it with acid tests or electronic testers, so when real value is at stake, a professional appraisal is the surest check.