noun
Common
platinum
PLAT-ihn-uhm
Platinum (noun) means a dense, precious, silvery-white metal element (symbol Pt) valued for its resistance to corrosion. Example: “Platinum is rarer than silver and does not tarnish easily.”
noun
1
A dense, precious, silvery-white metal element (symbol Pt) valued for its resistance to corrosion.
"Platinum is rarer than silver and does not tarnish easily."
"The jeweller set the diamond in a band of platinum."
"Her wedding ring is made of platinum."
2
An award or certification given to a recording that has sold a very high number of copies.
"The band received a platinum disc to celebrate their record sales."
"Her debut single was certified platinum after only a few weeks."
"The album went platinum within its first month of release."
adj
1
Of a pale, silvery-grey-white colour resembling the metal.
"He wore a sleek platinum suit that shimmered under the stage lights."
"The car was finished in a smooth platinum paint."
"She dyed her hair platinum blonde."
How to use platinum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA valuable silvery metal; also used for top-tier sales awards in music, and a very pale blonde colour.
Common pairings
platinum ring
go platinum
platinum blonde
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Word forms
- Plural
- platinums
- Third person singular
- platinums
- Past tense
- platinumed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ is rarer than silver and does not tarnish easily.
Etymology
From Spanish platina, "little silver," because the metal was originally found as an unwanted impurity in gold and seemed like an inferior form of silver.
Synonyms
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Pt
platina
white gold
Rhymes for platinum
See all rhymes for platinum →Frequently asked questions
What does “platinum” mean?
The word “platinum” means a dense, precious, silvery-white metal element (symbol Pt) valued for its resistance to corrosion. In plain terms, a valuable silvery metal; also used for top-tier sales awards in music, and a very pale blonde colour.
How do you pronounce “platinum”?
“Platinum” is pronounced PLAT-ihn-uhm (/ˈplæt.ɪn.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “platinum” in a sentence?
Here is “platinum” used in a sentence: “Her wedding ring is made of platinum.”
What is another word for “platinum”?
Words with a similar meaning to “platinum” include platina and white gold.
What part of speech is “platinum”?
Depending on how it is used, “platinum” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “platinum” come from?
The word “platinum” comes from Latin. From Spanish platina, "little silver," because the metal was originally found as an unwanted impurity in gold and seemed like an inferior form of silver.
Is “platinum” a common word?
“Platinum” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “platinum” have?
“Platinum” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dense, precious, silvery-white metal element (symbol Pt) valued for its resistance to corrosion.
What is the difference between platinum and white gold?
Platinum is a naturally silvery-white precious metal element (symbol Pt) valued for its resistance to corrosion. White gold is not an element but an alloy of gold mixed with paler metals to give a similar colour. They look alike, but only platinum is silvery-white all the way through.
What colour is platinum blonde hair?
Platinum blonde is a very pale, silvery-white shade of blond hair, named after the pale silvery-grey-white colour of the metal. As an adjective, platinum can describe anything of that near-white, silvery shade.
Why is platinum considered a precious metal?
Platinum is a dense, silvery-white metal prized for its strong resistance to corrosion, which means it keeps its finish rather than tarnishing. That durability, together with its rarity, places it among the precious metals alongside gold and silver.
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