Meaning & use
gold plate
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Meanings
noununcountable
A thin layer of gold applied to the surface of another metal, or objects covered with such a layer.
Grammar: Uncountable when referring to the material; countable when referring to individual items.
Patterns
- gold plate on something
- made of gold plate
The cutlery is made of gold plate, not solid gold.
The trophy has a gold plate finish.
She collects antique gold plate.
verbtransitive
To cover an object with a thin layer of gold.
Grammar: Takes an object: gold-plate a ring.
Patterns
- gold-plate something
They gold-plate the connectors to prevent corrosion.
The jeweler gold-plated the pendant.
Word forms
| third person singular | gold-plates |
|---|---|
| past tense | gold-plated |
| past participle | gold-plated |
| -ing form | gold-plating |
| plural | gold plates |
Common combinations
- gold plate finish
- The watch has a gold plate finish.
- gold plated jewelry
- She wears gold plated jewelry.
- gold plate cutlery
- The hotel uses gold plate cutlery.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gilt
- Gilt often refers to gold leaf or gold-colored coating, especially on books or frames.
Word family
- gold-plated adjective
- Covered with a thin layer of gold.
Commonly confused: gold plate or gold leaf?
gold plate vs gold leaf
Gold leaf is extremely thin sheets of gold used for decoration; gold plate is a thicker coating on metal.
Practice
The necklace is not solid gold; it's just _______.
Choose one answer.
'Gold plate' means a thin layer of gold on another metal. 'Gold ingot' is a solid block of gold, which would be solid gold.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gold plate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.