gold mine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1-B2Informal to neutral (in figurative use); neutral (literal use).
Quick answer
What does “gold mine” mean?
A place where gold is dug out of the ground for commercial purposes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A place where gold is dug out of the ground for commercial purposes.
A highly productive, profitable, or valuable source of something desirable (e.g., information, talent, opportunity).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or form. Spelling as two words is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical. Both carry strong positive connotations of abundance and high value in figurative use.
Frequency
Figurative use is very common in both varieties, especially in business, media, and everyday contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gold mine” in a Sentence
[Subject] is/represents a gold mine[Subject] has turned out to be a gold mine for [recipient][Owner] struck a gold mine with [source]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gold mine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They tried to gold-mine the old landfill site, but regulations made it uneconomical. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- The company is looking to gold-mine the data from its social media platform. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- He has a gold-mine mentality, always looking for the next big opportunity. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- They sold their gold-mine shares at the peak. (attributive use, common)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Their customer database is a marketing gold mine."
Academic
"The newly discovered archive proved a gold mine for social historians."
Everyday
"This charity shop is a gold mine for vintage clothes."
Technical
"The survey identified a potential gold mine in the northern region."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gold mine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gold mine”
- Spelling as one word ('goldmine' is less common but acceptable; two-word form is standard).
- Using it for a single, isolated valuable item (it implies a continuous, abundant source).
- Confusing with 'gold rush' (a frenzied search for gold).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'goldmine' is an accepted variant, especially in figurative use. However, the two-word form 'gold mine' is more common and generally considered the standard spelling for the literal meaning.
Rarely. Its core connotations are positive (value, abundance). A negative twist requires clear context: 'a gold mine of problems' is ironic, treating problems as abundant, but not desirable.
They are often interchangeable figuratively. 'Treasure trove' can imply discovered, hidden, or collected valuables, often with a historical/antique feel. 'Gold mine' emphasises ongoing, productive extraction of value and is more common in business/tech contexts.
Not a standard verb. You might see it in informal or jargon-filled contexts (e.g., 'gold-mining data'), but standard usage prefers phrases like 'exploit a gold mine of...' or 'mine [something] for data'.
A place where gold is dug out of the ground for commercial purposes.
Gold mine is usually informal to neutral (in figurative use); neutral (literal use). in register.
Gold mine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡəʊld ˌmaɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡoʊld ˌmaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a (regular) gold mine”
- “strike/hit a gold mine”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone finding literal GOLD in a MINE — that's incredibly valuable. Now apply that to finding a huge amount of valuable information, customers, or ideas. That source is your 'gold mine'.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUABLE THINGS ARE MINERAL DEPOSITS / SOURCES OF WEALTH ARE MINES.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'gold mine' INCORRECTLY?