precious metal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Technical, Financial
Quick answer
What does “precious metal” mean?
A rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical element of high economic value, primarily used as a store of value, for investment, or in jewelry and industry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical element of high economic value, primarily used as a store of value, for investment, or in jewelry and industry.
Any commodity or resource regarded as extremely valuable and non-perishable; metaphorically, something or someone considered to be of exceptional worth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Minor spelling differences may appear in related compounds (e.g., 'precious metals market' vs. 'precious metals market').
Connotations
Identical connotations of rarity, durability, and high value in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to a larger financial and investment media landscape, but the term is common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “precious metal” in a Sentence
NOUN + of + precious metal (e.g., 'an ingot of precious metal')ADJ + precious metal (e.g., 'liquid precious metal')VERB + precious metal (e.g., 'to assay a precious metal')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “precious metal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company specialises in precious metal recovery from electronic waste.
American English
- The firm is looking to precious metal their new line of connectors for durability.
adjective
British English
- The precious-metal content of the coin was verified by the assay office.
American English
- They attended a precious-metals conference in New York.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to commodities traded on markets like the LBMA or COMEX, used in portfolio diversification.
Academic
Discussed in geology, economics, and chemistry for its properties, distribution, and role in monetary systems.
Everyday
Used when discussing jewelry, inheritance, or general investments ('She received a precious metal as a gift').
Technical
Specifics of assaying, hallmarks, catalytic properties, and electronic applications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “precious metal”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “precious metal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “precious metal”
- Using 'precious metal' as a countable noun without an article when referring to a specific type (e.g., 'He found precious metal' vs. 'He found a precious metal' or 'He found precious metals').
- Confusing 'precious metal' with 'precious stone' (gemstone).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, aluminium is abundant and classified as a base or industrial metal, not a precious metal.
Yes, it can describe anything of immense and lasting value, e.g., 'Time is the most precious metal we have.'
Precious metals are valued for their economic role, corrosion resistance, and rarity in the context of coinage/jewelry. Rare earth elements are a group of chemically similar metals crucial for technology but not traditionally used as currency or for their aesthetic value.
Platinum is far rarer, more corrosion-resistant, and has a higher economic value per unit mass than iron, which is abundant and prone to rust.
A rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical element of high economic value, primarily used as a store of value, for investment, or in jewelry and industry.
Precious metal is usually formal, technical, financial in register.
Precious metal: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpreʃ.əs ˈmet.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpreʃ.əs ˈmet̬.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not] worth its weight in gold/priceless (related conceptual idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PRECIOUS METAL: Picture a chest full of gold and silver so valuable you'd say 'Press SHUSH!' to keep it secret. 'Press' for 'Precious', 'Shush' for the 'sh' sound, and the metal is quietly priceless.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOLID, ENDURING VALUE (e.g., 'His loyalty was like a precious metal, never tarnishing.')
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically classified as a precious metal?