# karat

/ˈkɛɹət/ (US) · /kˈæɹæt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/karat
Updated: 2026-10-20

## Definition

a unit that shows how pure gold is. You see 24 karats for pure gold, and lower numbers mean other metals are mixed in.

For teachers: a unit of fineness for gold, with 24 representing pure gold. Often appears with a numeral directly before it, as in '18-karat gold', and spelled 'karat' to distinguish gold purity from gemstone weight.

## Examples

- This ring has 18 karats of pure gold.
- She checks the stamp inside the bracelet to confirm it is 14 karat gold before buying it.
- The jeweller explained that higher karat means softer gold, so 24-karat pieces scratch more easily than durable 14-karat alloys.

## Usage notes

- Used with numerals; as a modifier, hyphenated before a noun ('18-karat gold'). Spelled 'karat' for gold, 'carat' for gemstone weight.

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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.