gold point: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+Formal, Academic, Technical (Economics/Finance)
Quick answer
What does “gold point” mean?
In finance, the boundary at which it becomes profitable to export or import gold between two countries based on the exchange rate, factoring in shipping and insurance costs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In finance, the boundary at which it becomes profitable to export or import gold between two countries based on the exchange rate, factoring in shipping and insurance costs.
A metaphorical or historical reference point representing a standard of purity, value, or excellence, often in discussions of economic history or classical economic theory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The term is equally rare and technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical, precise, related to fixed exchange rate regimes.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist texts.
Grammar
How to Use “gold point” in a Sentence
The [exchange rate] reached/breached/surpassed the [import/export] gold point.The [upper/lower] gold point was defined by [costs of shipment/insurance].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gold point” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The exchange rate must gold-point before arbitrage occurs.
- Markets would quickly gold-point the discrepancy.
American English
- The currency pair gold-pointed, triggering bullion flows.
- Traders sought to gold-point the spread.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable]
- [Not applicable]
American English
- [Not applicable]
- [Not applicable]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjectival use. 'Gold-point mechanism' is possible but highly technical.]
- [Not applicable]
American English
- [No standard adjectival use. 'Gold-point arbitrage' is possible but highly technical.]
- [Not applicable]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used in modern business. Only appears in historical case studies.
Academic
Used in economic history and international finance textbooks discussing pre-1971 monetary systems.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in descriptions of the mechanics of the classical gold standard.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gold point”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gold point”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gold point”
- Using it as a synonym for 'gold standard' itself (it's a mechanism within that system).
- Using it in contemporary financial contexts.
- Treating it as two separate words with independent meanings in a sentence.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a historical concept relevant only to the era of the gold standard, which was largely abandoned by the 1970s.
The upper gold point (or export point) is the rate at which exporting gold becomes profitable. The lower gold point (or import point) is the rate at which importing gold becomes profitable.
Rarely, and only in very specific academic or literary contexts to denote a peak standard of purity or value, e.g., 'the gold point of classical craftsmanship'. This is not common usage.
It is typically written as two words ('gold point'), though in specialised texts it may be hyphenated ('gold-point') when used as a modifier before a noun (e.g., gold-point arbitrage).
In finance, the boundary at which it becomes profitable to export or import gold between two countries based on the exchange rate, factoring in shipping and insurance costs.
Gold point is usually formal, academic, technical (economics/finance) in register.
Gold point: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡəʊld ˌpɔɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡoʊld ˌpɔɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not a source of idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a point on a map marking where gold shipments become profitable. The 'gold point' is the profit point for gold.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FINANCIAL THRESHOLD IS A POINT ON A SCALE. ECONOMIC MECHANICS ARE PHYSICAL MOVEMENT (export/import triggers).
Practice
Quiz
What does the term 'gold point' specifically refer to?