# platinum

/ˈpɫætənəm/ (US) · /plˈætɪnəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/platinum
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the metal

noun · CEFR B2

a heavy, silver-white metal that is very expensive and does not rust easily.

For teachers: a dense, malleable, and highly unreactive transition metal with atomic number 78, valued for its rarity and industrial utility.

- The wedding ring was made of platinum because it is stronger than gold.
- Platinum is an essential component in catalytic converters due to its ability to facilitate chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.

### 2. music sales award

noun · CEFR B2

an award for a song or album that has sold a very large number of copies.

For teachers: a certification awarded to a musical recording that has reached a specific high-volume sales threshold, typically one million units.

- The band's latest album went platinum within just three weeks of its release.
- Achieving platinum status in the digital era requires a complex calculation of both physical sales and millions of verified streams.

### 3. cancer medication

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of strong medicine used to treat cancer.

For teachers: a class of chemotherapy drugs containing platinum compounds used to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

- The doctor explained that the treatment would involve a course of platinum.
- The patient responded well to the platinum-based regimen, though the oncologists monitored closely for signs of renal toxicity.

### 4. colour

adjective · CEFR B2

a very pale, silvery-grey colour.

For teachers: denoting a metallic, whitish-grey colour of low saturation.

- She decided to dye her hair a bright platinum blonde.
- The interior designer recommended platinum silk curtains to complement the cool tones of the marble flooring.

### 5. gaming achievement

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to finish every single task and challenge in a video game.

For teachers: to earn every available trophy or achievement in a video game, thereby completing it in its entirety.

- I spent all weekend trying to platinum my favourite RPG.
- He was determined to platinum the game, even though it required finding hundreds of hidden collectibles scattered across the map.

## Examples

- She chose a platinum ring because it does not tarnish.
- The band's latest studio album went platinum within just three weeks of its international release.
- While gold remains the traditional standard for luxury, platinum is often preferred in industrial applications due to its remarkable catalytic properties and chemical stability under extreme heat.

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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.