Gold — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈgōld/

Meaning & Definition of Gold

Gold (noun)

a yellow metallic element with atomic number 79 that occurs naturally in pure form and is used especially in coins, jewelry, and electronics
gold coins
a gold piece

Gold (adjective)

made of or containing gold
having a gold color, golden
qualifying for a gold record

Gold (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment

"all the gold in the world won't buy happiness"

similar: bread (slang), bucks, cabbage (slang), cash, change, chips, coin, currency, dough, green, jack (slang), kale (slang), legal tender, lolly (British), long green (slang), loot, lucre, money, moola (slang), needful, pelf, scratch (slang), shekels, tender, wampum

related: coinage, specie, dead presidents (slang), folding money, paper money, scrip, banknote, cashier's check, check, draft, money order, note, promissory note, bill, dollar, greenback, bankroll, capital, finances, funds, roll (slang), wad, wallet, chump change, dibs (slang), dime, mite, peanuts, pittance, shoestring, big bucks, bomb (British), boodle, bundle, earth, fortune, king's ransom, megabucks, mint, packet (chiefly British), pile, pot, abundance, means, opulence, riches, treasure, wealth, resources, wherewithal, mad money, petty cash, pin money, pocket money, spending money

Gold (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

as in golden

similar: golden, gilded, gold-plated, bejeweled, bossed, chased, emblazoned, embossed, embroidered, flounced, fringed, garlanded, laced, sequined, wreathed

Related Entry: Good (adjective)

Good is a different word from Gold. The synonyms below are for good, not for gold.

giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses

"we had a good time at the movies"

similar: agreeable, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, grateful, gratifying, heavenly, jolly, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, satisfying, savory, sweet, tasty, welcome

related: alluring, attractive, desirable, enviable, inviting, relishable, tempting, charming, enchanting, fascinating, calming, comforting, soothing, amusing, diverting, entertaining, recreative, affable, amiable, cheerful, cheery, comfortable, gemütlich, genial, goodly, good-natured, gracious, hospitable, kindly, personable, blissful, felicific, glad, happy, joyous, elating, exhilarating, intoxicating, ecstatic, euphoric, nirvanic, rapturous

opposite: disagreeable, pleasureless, unpalatable, unpleasant, unwelcome

near: abominable, ghastly, god-awful, hellish, horrid, miserable, wretched, bilious, disgusting, distasteful, obnoxious, offensive, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revulsive, unsavory, vile, yucky, abhorrent, detestable, hateful, odious, boring, commonplace, dull, flat, insipid, irksome, stale, tedious, displeasing, dissatisfying, depressing, disheartening, dismal, dreary, gloomy, heartbreaking, heartrending, joyless, lachrymose, sad, unhappy, deplorable, doleful, dolorous, lamentable, lugubrious, mournful, regrettable, sorrowful, tragic, aggravating, annoying, exasperating, irritating, peeving, perturbing, vexing, forbidding, hostile, intimidating, angering, enraging, incensing, inflaming, infuriating, maddening, outraging, rankling, riling, distressing, disturbing, upsetting
based on sound reasoning or information

"had enough information to make a good assessment of the situation"

similar: commonsense, commonsensible, commonsensical, firm, hard, informed, just, justified, levelheaded, logical, rational, reasonable, reasoned, sensible, sober, solid, valid, well-founded

related: actual, real, true, certain, sure, certified, validated, verified, confirmed, corroborated, substantiated, cogent, convincing, colorable, credible, plausible

opposite: groundless, illogical, invalid, irrational, nonrational, nonsensical, nonvalid, unfounded, uninformed, unjustified, unreasonable, unreasoned, unsound

near: unsubstantiated, unsupported, unwarranted, flimsy, implausible, unconvincing, weak, fallacious, false, misguided, misled
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue

"a good person who seldom did wrong"
"good behavior will earn you the respect of others"

similar: all right, decent, ethical, honest, honorable, just, moral, nice, right, righteous, right-minded, straight, true, upright, virtuous

related: correct, decorous, proper, seemly, high-minded, noble, principled, commendable, creditable, exemplary, legitimate, esteemed, law-abiding, menschy, reputable, respected, upstanding, worthy, blameless, clean, guiltless, immaculate, incorrupt, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, unobjectionable, angelic, lily-white, pure, scrupulous, spotless, uncorrupted, unerring, goody-goody, moralistic, pharisaical, rectitudinous, sanctimonious, self-righteous

opposite: bad, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, wicked, wrong

near: improper, incorrect, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, perverted, reprobate, unprincipled, unscrupulous, atrocious, infamous, villainous, base, low, mean, vicious, vile, blameworthy, objectionable, offensive, iniquitous, nefarious, errant, erring, fallen
according to the rules of logic

"you don't need a good reason to stop doing that—it's because I said so"

similar: analytic, coherent, consequent, logical, rational, reasonable, sensible, sound, valid, well-founded, well-grounded

related: a posteriori, a priori, syllogistic, cognitive, empirical, defendable, defensible, justifiable, maintainable, supportable, sustainable, tenable

opposite: illegitimate, illogical, incoherent, inconsequent, inconsequential, invalid, irrational, unreasonable, unsound, weak

near: casuistic, eristic, fallacious, misleading, sophistic, specious, unarticulated, unscientific, absurd, cockeyed, crazy, daffy, fatuous, half-baked, half-witted, harebrained, insane, loony, mad, nonsensical, nutty, preposterous, simpleminded, stupid, weak-minded, witless, senseless, thoughtless, uncompelling, unconvincing
being to one's liking

"that band's music is good"

similar: agreeable, all right, alright, copacetic, ducky, fine, hunky-dory, jake (slang), OK, palatable, satisfactory

related: delectable, delicious, delightful, dreamy, felicitous, gratifying, nice, pleasant, pleasing, scrumptious, welcome, acceptable, adequate, decent, passable, tolerable

opposite: disagreeable, unsatisfactory

near: bad, deficient, inferior, lousy, poor, punk, substandard, unacceptable, wanting, wretched, mediocre, middling, second-class, second-rate
expressing approval

"gave the restaurant a good review"

similar: admiring, applauding, appreciative, approbatory, approving, commendatory, complimentary, favorable, friendly, positive

related: accepting, warm, encomiastic, eulogistic, flattering, hagiographic, laudative, laudatory, panegyrical, praiseful, respectful, supportive, sympathetic, adoring, adulatory, idolizing, worshipful, worshipping, advisory, recommendatory

opposite: adverse, depreciative, depreciatory, derogatory, disapproving, inappreciative, negative, unappreciative, uncomplimentary, unfavorable, unflattering, unfriendly

near: captious, carping, caviling, censuring, critical, faultfinding, hypercritical, overcritical, belittling, contemptuous, disdainful, disparaging, scornful, slighting
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something

"a good Democrat who wouldn't dream of voting for a Republican candidate"

similar: constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, faithful, fast, loyal, pious, staunch, steadfast, steady, true, true-blue

related: dependable, dutiful, reliable, responsible, solid, tried, tried-and-true, trustworthy, trusty, unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering, determined, intent, resolute, confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, inveterate, sworn, ardent, avid, enthusiastic, fervent, fervid, gung ho, impassioned, passionate, serious

opposite: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue

near: irresponsible, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, faltering, hesitant, vacillating, wavering, dubious, irresolute, shaky, uncertain, apathetic, dispassionate, uninterested
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor

"he's good at math"

similar: accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, great, master, masterful, masterly, practiced, professed, proficient, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso

related: adroit, clever, deft, dexterous, handy, slick, sure-handed, gifted, talented, polished, refined, effective, effectual, efficient, workmanlike, able, capable, competent, employable, fit, fitted, habile, qualified, knowledgeable, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, all-around, well-rounded, long-term, old, multiskilled, multitalented

opposite: amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful

near: incapable, incompetent, inept, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, weak, artless, crude, rude, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, talentless, ungifted, untalented, ignorant, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, beginning, green, inexperienced, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be, primitive, rough, unpolished, awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed
having sufficient worth or merit to receive one's honor, esteem, or reward

"she is good enough to win a fellowship"

similar: deserving, meritorious, worthy

related: admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, praiseworthy, invaluable, priceless, cherished, prized, treasured, choice, excellent, exceptional, fancy, high-grade, primary, prime, special

opposite: no-good, undeserving, valueless, worthless

near: base, cheap, inferior, second-rate, substandard, bad, defective, flawed, imperfect, deficient, inadequate, insufficient, unacceptable, unsatisfactory
having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance

"that electrician is good at what he does"

similar: able, capable, competent, equal, fit, qualified, suitable, on the ball

related: accomplished, ace, adept, experienced, expert, master, masterful, masterly, practiced, proficient, seasoned, skilled, skillful, veteran, overqualified, prepared, schooled, trained, apt, ready, willing, all-around, protean, versatile

opposite: incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted, unqualified

near: inexperienced, inexpert, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful, unprepared, unschooled, untrained, beginning, green, new, raw, untested, untried
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation

"those rotten apples aren't good to eat"

similar: applicable, appropriate, apt, becoming, befitting, felicitous, fit, fitted, fitting, happy, meet, pretty, proper, right, suitable, in order

related: condign, deserved, just, justified, needed, required, requisite, able, capable, competent, cut out, qualified, trained, pitch-perfect, acceptable, adequate, decent, kosher, satisfactory, serviceable, tolerable, correct, decorous, respectable, seemly, balanced, companionate, congruous, consonant, harmonious, rightful

opposite: improper, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, indecent, infelicitous, malapropos, misbecoming, unapt, unbecoming, unbeseeming, unfit, unfitting, unhappy, unmeet, unseemly, unsuitable, wrong

near: incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unqualified, unskilled, unskillful, untrained, inadequate, intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, graceless, incorrect, indecorous, incompatible, uncongenial
sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention

"had a good number of valuable baseball cards in his collection"

similar: biggish, considerable, goodly, handsome, healthy, largish, major, respectable, significant, sizable, substantial, substantive, tidy

related: big, bulky, hefty, hulking, outsize, oversize, voluminous, astronomical, bumper, colossal, elephantine, enormous, gigantic, great, herculean, huge, immense, jumbo, king-size, mammoth, massive, monstrous, monumental, prodigious, titanic, tremendous, whopping

opposite: inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, insubstantial, negligible, nominal

near: measly, minute, paltry, petty, picayune, picayunish, piddling, puny, trifling, trivial, unimportant, marginal, meager, slight, little, small, tiny, undersized, bitty, diminutive, miniature, pint-size, pocket, pocket-size, pygmy, smallish
worthy of one's trust

"a car that should be good for another few years"

similar: calculable, dependable, reliable, responsible, safe, secure, solid, steady, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustable, trustworthy, trusty

related: constant, devoted, faithful, fast, loyal, staunch, steadfast, true-blue, honest, sincere, single-minded, infallible, unerring, bedrock, firm, sound, strong, effective, telling, attested, authenticated, confirmed, proven, valid, validated, verified, blameless, faultless, guiltless, impeccable, inerrant, irreproachable, unimpeachable, unquestionable

opposite: dodgy (chiefly British), uncertain, undependable, unreliable, unsafe, untrustworthy

near: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue, deceitful, dishonest, lying, mendacious, untruthful, debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, dubious, fishy, problematic, questionable, shady, shaky, suspect, uncertain, unsound, hazardous, risky, unconfirmed, untried
being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard

"if these measurements are good, the venetian blind should fit the window perfectly"

similar: accurate, bang on (chiefly British), correct, dead-on, exact, on-target, precise, proper, right, so, spot-on, true, veracious, on target, on the money

related: legitimate, logical, sound, valid, errorless, faultless, flawless, impeccable, inerrant, infallible, letter-perfect, perfect, rigorous, strict, stringent

opposite: false, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue, wrong

near: defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect
very pleasing to look at

"an actress who always looks good on-screen"

similar: aesthetic, attractive, beauteous, beautiful, bonny (chiefly British), comely, cute, drop-dead, fair, fetching, good-looking, goodly, gorgeous, handsome, knockout, likely, lovely, lovesome, pretty, ravishing, seemly, sightly, stunning, taking, well-favored

related: alluring, appealing, charming, cunning, delightful, engaging, fascinating, glamorous, prepossessing, elegant, exquisite, glorious, Junoesque, magnificent, resplendent, splendid, statuesque, sublime, superb, flawless, perfect, radiant, dainty, delicate, personable, pleasant, presentable, chocolate-box, prettyish, desirable, dishy, dollish, foxy, hot, luscious, nubile, pulchritudinous, seductive, sexy, toothsome, hunky, studly (slang), arresting, eye-catching, flamboyant, flashy, glossy, showstopping, showy, slick, snazzy, splashy, striking, zingy, photogenic, telegenic

opposite: grotesque, hideous, homely, ill-favored, plain, ugly, unaesthetic, unattractive, unbeautiful, uncomely, uncute, unhandsome, unlovely, unpleasing, unpretty, unsightly

near: abhorrent, abominable, bad, disagreeable, disgusting, dreadful, foul, frightful, ghastly, horrible, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, objectionable, offensive, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, shocking, sickening, terrible, vile, unappealing, unappetizing, unimposing, unpleasant, unprepossessing, frumpish, frumpy, unbecoming, unshapely
beneficial to the health of body or mind

"eating a good breakfast will provide you with more energy during the day"
"didn't like broccoli even though he knew it was good for him"

similar: healthful, healthy, medicinal, restorative, salubrious, salutary, salutiferous, sanative, tonic, wholesome

related: alleviative, corrective, curative, recuperative, refreshing, rehabilitative, rejuvenating, rejuvenescent, remedial, advantageous, useful, antiseptic, aseptic, clean, hygienic, sanitary, nourishing, nutritional, nutritious, nonpoisonous, nontoxic

opposite: insalubrious, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome

near: damaging, deleterious, harmful, injurious, pernicious, infectious, poisonous, sickening, toxic, insanitary, unhygienic, unsanitary
having or showing a concern for the welfare of others

"if the church is to stay open, it's going to have to receive more than good intentions from its members"

similar: altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, charitable, do-good, eleemosynary, humanitarian, philanthropic

related: selfless, self-sacrificing, bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, free, freehanded, generous, greathearted, handsome, liberal, magnanimous, munificent, openhanded, openhearted, unselfish, unsparing, compassionate, humane, kind, kindhearted, social-minded

opposite: self-centered, self-concerned, selfish

near: self-indulgent, self-seeking, cheap, closefisted, miserly, parsimonious, stingy, tight, tightfisted, hard-hearted, pitiless, unfeeling, self-obsessed
of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards

"the food at that restaurant is good but hardly great"

similar: acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fairish, fine, OK, passable, respectable, satisfactory, serviceable, tolerable, up to snuff

related: agreeable, bearable, endurable, sufferable, average, fair, indifferent, mediocre, middling, minimal, common, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-rate, so-so, standard, unexceptional, appropriate, correct, due, fitting, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable, useful, worthy, gratifying, satisfying

opposite: deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting

near: disagreeable, disreputable, improper, indecent, objectionable, unfit, unsuitable, unworthy, useless, wrong, bad, cheap, defective, faulty, imperfect, incomplete, lamentable, pitiful, shoddy, dissatisfying, insufficient, meager, mean, miserly, poor, scanty, shabby, short, skimpy, spare, stingy, insufferable, intolerable, unbearable, unendurable, atrocious, execrable, miserable, vile, wretched, exceptional, exquisite, extreme, fancy, first-class, high-grade, matchless, maximized, maximum, optimal, optimum, peerless, preeminent, premium, special, supreme, unmatched, unparalleled, A1, bang-up, banner, boss (slang), capital, classic, crackerjack, dandy, divine, fabulous, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, heavenly, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous, neat, nifty, noble, par excellence, prime, sensational, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unsurpassed, wonderful
promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being

"product packaging that is intended to be good for the environment"

similar: advantageous, benefic, beneficent, beneficial, benignant, favorable, friendly, helpful, kindly, profitable, salutary

related: gratifying, rewarding, satisfying, auspicious, promising, propitious, advisable, desirable, healthful, healthy, salubrious, salutiferous, wholesome, gainful, lucrative, remunerative, ameliorative, amelioratory, bettering, constructive, supportive

opposite: bad, disadvantageous, unfavorable, unfriendly, unhelpful, unprofitable

near: damaging, deleterious, harmful, injurious, insalubrious

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Gold

The most common words with a similar meaning to Gold:

Slang: bread, cabbage, jack, kale, long green, moola, scratch

British: lolly

bucks, cash, change, chips, coin, currency, dough, green, legal tender, loot, lucre, money, needful, pelf, shekels, tender, wampum, golden, gilded, gold-plated, bejeweled, bossed, chased, emblazoned, embossed, embroidered, flounced, fringed, garlanded, laced, sequined, wreathed

Word Forms of Gold

Inflections: golds

Origin & Etymology of Gold

Middle English, going back to Old English, neuter strong noun, going back to Germanic *gulþa-/*gulđa- (with varying accentuation, whence also Old Frisian, Old Saxon, and Old High German gold "gold," Old Norse gull, goll, Gothic gulþ), going back to dialectal Indo-European *ǵhl̥(h3)-to-, with full-grade ablaut *ǵhel(h3)-to- (in Latvian zȩ̀lts "gold," Old Prussian sealtmeno "oriole") and o-grade *ǵhol(h3)-to- (in Slavic *zȍlto, whence Old Church Slavic zlato "gold," Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian zlâto, Polish złoto, Russian zóloto), all derivatives with the adjectival suffix *-to- from Indo-European *ǵhelh3- "yellow, green" yellow:1

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Gold

CEFR level: A2 English Vocabulary — Page 8
Topics: Clothes & Appearance

Words & Phrases Containing Gold

gold coast, gold digger, gold-filled, gold leaf, gold mine, gold of pleasure, gold record, gold rush

Frequently Asked Questions about Gold

What does "Gold" mean?

"Gold" means a yellow metallic element with atomic number 79 that occurs naturally in pure form and is used especially in coins, jewelry, and electronics. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a yellow metallic element with atomic number 79 that occurs naturally in pure form and is used especially in coins, jewelry, and electronics. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Gold"?

Other words for "Gold" include bread, bucks, cabbage, cash, change, chips, coin and currency. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Gold" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Gold"?

There are 95 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Gold". Common alternatives include bread, bucks, cabbage, cash, change, chips, coin, currency, dough and green.

What is a slang word for "Gold"?

Slang words for "Gold" include bread, cabbage, jack, kale, long green and moola.

How do you use "Gold" in a sentence?

Examples of "Gold" in a sentence: "all the gold in the world won't buy happiness".

Is "Gold" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Gold" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Gold" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Gold" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Gold"?

"Gold" is pronounced /ˈgōld/.