Made of gold, colored like it, or informally judged to be exceptionally valuable.
Reach for it when using a compact metaphor for high value only where its basis is clear
Her gold standard for evidence improved every inspection report.
| playful |
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|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when brief informal approval suits a person or result
Careful Ace is slangy and can sound juvenile in formal recognition.
warm
Fits when warm color, preciousness, or promise matters more than material composition
Careful Golden can be figurative, so it is inaccurate for an object that is literally gold.
professional
Fits when performance ranks within the highest group by stated criteria
Careful Top-tier requires a comparison and lacks gold's warmth or ceremonial status.
formal
Fits when measured quality is exceptionally high
Careful First-rate praises performance but carries no sense of precious material or color.
literary
Fits when something is especially valued or sought after
Careful Using prize for somebody can turn admiration into objectification.
gold standard
Transparent sampling became the gold standard for the whole network.
gold medal
The gold medal recognized a clean final run after months of recovery.
gold trim
Thin gold trim restored the sign's original contrast.
Keep in mind
Gold as a quality label is figurative and strong. It should be tied to a standard, result, or material fact.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Naomi Persephone Amethyst, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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