# gold

/ˈɡoʊɫd/ (US) · /ɡˈəʊld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gold
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the metal

noun · CEFR A2

a valuable yellow metal used to make jewellery, coins, and expensive objects.

For teachers: a heavy, malleable, yellow metallic element (atomic number 79) of high value and conductivity.

- She wore a beautiful necklace made of pure gold for the wedding.
- The price of gold fluctuated significantly on the global market as investors sought a safe haven during the economic downturn.

### 2. the colour

noun · CEFR A2

a bright, deep yellow colour that looks like the metal.

For teachers: a deep, lustrous yellow hue resembling the appearance of the metal gold.

- The leaves turned to gold as autumn arrived in the forest.
- The designer chose a palette of deep navy and gold to evoke a sense of traditional luxury in the hotel lobby.

### 3. something valuable

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

something or someone that is very useful, helpful, or high quality.

For teachers: anything or anyone perceived as exceptionally valuable, useful, or of superior quality.

- That advice you gave me was pure gold; it saved me hours of work.
- The archive proved to be historical gold, containing letters that completely changed our understanding of the treaty negotiations.

### 4. a medal

noun · CEFR B1

a gold medal given to the winner of a race or competition.

For teachers: a medal made of or plated with gold, awarded as first prize in a sporting event or competition.

- The swimmer was determined to bring home the gold for her country.
- After years of rigorous training, the athlete finally secured the gold in the hundred-metre sprint, setting a new national record.

### 5. made of gold

adjective · CEFR A2

made from the metal gold.

For teachers: composed of or plated with the metallic element gold.

- He gave her a small gold ring as a graduation present.
- The museum's collection includes several gold masks recovered from ancient burial sites in South America.

### 6. software/media

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

a final version of a product, like a computer program, that is ready to be sold.

For teachers: referring to a final version of software or a recording that is ready for mass production or release.

- The developers announced that the new game has finally gone gold.
- Once the software reaches gold status, the master copy is sent to the manufacturing plant for physical distribution.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun.

## Examples

- She wears a ring made of solid gold.
- The price of gold rose sharply as investors looked for a safe place to put their money during the crisis.
- While the chemical properties of gold make it ideal for industrial electronics, its primary historical function has been as a store of value and a medium for artistic expression.

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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.