midas: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, literary; sometimes used in journalistic/business contexts.
Quick answer
What does “midas” mean?
A person who is very successful in making money or creating wealth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is very successful in making money or creating wealth.
A person or entity that has the ability to turn any project or investment into a great financial success; derived from the mythical King Midas, whose touch turned objects to gold. Also used as a proprietary or brand name.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and recognition of the term are virtually identical. Spelling is always 'Midas'.
Connotations
Identical. Both reference the same Greek myth.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to specific literary, business, or cultural discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “midas” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] (as subject)have/possess the Midas touchbe hailed as a (modern) MidasVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “midas” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No standard verb form.
American English
- No standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form.
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- The fund's Midas-like returns attracted global investors.
American English
- She has a Midas reputation in the tech startup scene.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe an investor or CEO with a consistently profitable record. 'The new fund manager was hailed as a Midas after three stellar years.'
Academic
Found in literary criticism, classical studies, or economic history discussing the myth or its allegorical use.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in conversation to humorously describe someone on a winning streak. 'You picked the winning lottery numbers again? You've got the Midas touch!'
Technical
Not used in technical fields except potentially as a brand or project name (e.g., Midas software).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “midas”
- Using lowercase ('midas') when referring to the myth or the idiom.
- Using it to describe simple wealth without the connotation of creating it from other ventures.
- Pronouncing it /ˈmiːdəs/ (like 'Medusa') instead of /ˈmaɪdəs/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to the mythological king or the derived concept. The idiom 'the Midas touch' also capitalises it.
Yes, in the context of the full myth, it can imply that the pursuit of wealth leads to loss (e.g., turning food to gold). The term 'reverse Midas touch' explicitly means everything one touches fails.
No, it is a low-frequency word. Most people know the idiom 'the Midas touch', but using 'a Midas' as a noun is less common and more literary or journalistic.
A 'mogul' is a powerful person in a particular industry. A 'Midas' specifically has the connotation of a magical or infallible ability to generate financial success, often across different ventures.
A person who is very successful in making money or creating wealth.
Midas is usually formal, literary; sometimes used in journalistic/business contexts. in register.
Midas: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪdæs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪdəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the Midas touch”
- “a reverse Midas touch (where everything one touches fails)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine MID-AS in a gold rush: in the middle of it, he 'AS's for gold and gets it. King Midas = Middle of ASsessing treasure.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS GOLD / SUCCESS IS A MAGICAL TOUCH / GREED IS SELF-DESTRUCTIVE (referencing the myth's end).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern meaning of 'a Midas'?