# carat

/ˈkɛɹət/ (US) · /kˈæɹæt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carat
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. weight of gemstones

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a unit of weight for diamonds and other precious stones. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams.

For teachers: a metric unit of mass equal to 200 mg, used internationally for weighing precious stones and pearls.

- She bought a beautiful ring with a one-carat diamond in the center.
- The auction house estimated that the rare blue diamond weighed over fifteen carats, making it one of the largest of its kind.

Usage: Often used as a compound adjective before a noun, such as 'a five-carat stone'.

### 2. purity of gold

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a measure of how pure gold is, based on a scale of 24 parts.

For teachers: a unit of proportion used to measure the fineness of gold, where 24-carat gold is pure.

- Pure gold is 24 carats, but it is usually too soft for most jewelry.
- To increase the durability of the wedding band, the jeweler recommended using 18-carat gold rather than the softer 22-carat alloy.

Teaching tip: In American English, 'karat' (with a K) is the standard spelling for gold purity, while 'carat' (with a C) is used for gemstone weight. British English often uses 'carat' for both.

## Examples

- She wears a two-carat diamond ring.
- The jeweler explained that a higher carat rating for gold means the metal is softer but more valuable.
- While the size of the gemstone is impressive, its value is determined by the combination of its carat weight, clarity, and the precision of its cut.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.