gold dust: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal to informal, depending on context (literal vs. figurative).
Quick answer
What does “gold dust” mean?
Very fine particles of gold as found naturally in mineral deposits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Very fine particles of gold as found naturally in mineral deposits.
Something extremely rare, valuable, or difficult to obtain; an extremely precious resource.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. 'As rare as gold dust' is a slightly more common idiom in British English.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English in figurative use.
Grammar
How to Use “gold dust” in a Sentence
be + gold dustbe + like + gold dustbe + as rare as + gold dusttreat + NP + as + gold dustNP + is + gold dustVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gold dust” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The prospectors would painstakingly gold-dust the river sediment. (rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- He has a gold-dust collection of vintage stamps. (rare, attributive noun use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe highly sought-after products, skills, or market opportunities. 'Expert data analysts are like gold dust in the current job market.'
Academic
Mostly in geological or historical contexts describing literal mineral deposits.
Everyday
Figurative use to describe tickets to a popular event, a rare collectible, or a parking space in a crowded city.
Technical
Literal use in geology, mining, and metallurgy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gold dust”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gold dust”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gold dust”
- Using 'gold dust' as an adjective without a linking verb (e.g., 'It's a gold dust ticket' is wrong; 'The ticket is like gold dust' is correct). Confusing with 'golden dust' (which is poetic/imaginative).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a two-word noun phrase, written as separate words.
Its figurative use strongly implies both high value AND scarcity. Something merely valuable but common (e.g., water) would not typically be called 'gold dust'.
They are opposites in terms of value. 'Gold dust' is real, valuable gold. 'Fool's gold' (iron pyrite) is a worthless mineral that looks like gold, used metaphorically for something that appears valuable but is not.
It is neutral to informal. In very formal writing, alternatives like 'extremely scarce' or 'highly prized' might be preferred.
Very fine particles of gold as found naturally in mineral deposits.
Gold dust: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡəʊld ˌdʌst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡoʊld ˌdʌst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) rare as gold dust”
- “like gold dust”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of something so valuable (like GOLD) and so scarce/fine (like DUST) that it's almost impossible to find or hold onto.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE IS A PRECIOUS METAL / SCARCITY IS FINENESS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'gold dust' used LITERALLY?