gold-filled
Definition
- Adjective:
- Made of a layer of gold fused to a base metal: "gold-filled" describes an object, typically jewelry, that is constructed by mechanically bonding a layer of gold (usually at least 5% of the item's total weight) to a base metal, such as brass or copper. This process is more durable and thicker than gold plating.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- She wore a gold-filled necklace that looked like solid gold but was more affordable. (The necklace has a thick layer of gold bonded to a cheaper metal.)
- The earrings are gold-filled, so they will not tarnish easily. (The earrings are made with a durable gold layer over a base metal.)
Advanced Usage
- "gold-filled vs. gold-plated": Gold-filled items have a much thicker layer of gold (typically 5% or more of the total weight) compared to gold-plated items, which have a thin layer applied by electroplating.
- A gold-filled watch is more resistant to wear than a gold-plated one. (The gold layer is thicker and bonded mechanically, not just electroplated.)
Variants and Related Words
Gold (n): a precious yellow metal.
- The ring is made of pure gold. (The ring is composed entirely of the metal gold.)
Fill (v): to make something full or add material to it.
- The jeweler will fill the hollow bracelet with gold. (The jeweler will add gold material to the bracelet.)
Gold-filled (adj): the compound word itself; no separate variants are common.
Synonyms
- Gold-bonded: a less common term for the same process of fusing gold to a base metal.
- Gold overlay: another term for gold-filled, often used interchangeably.
Phrasal Verbs
- No phrasal verbs are directly associated with "gold-filled," as it is a compound adjective.
Related Idioms
- No idioms are directly associated with "gold-filled," as it is a technical term for jewelry.