noun
platinum
PLAT-ihn-uhm
noun
1
A dense, precious, silvery-white metal element (symbol Pt) valued for its resistance to corrosion.
"Her wedding ring is made of platinum."
2
An award or certification given to a recording that has sold a very high number of copies.
"The album went platinum within its first month of release."
adj
1
Of a pale, silvery-grey-white colour resembling the metal.
"She dyed her hair platinum blonde."
How to Use Platinum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA valuable silvery metal; also used for top-tier sales awards in music, and a very pale blonde colour.
Common pairings
platinum ring
go platinum
platinum blonde
Word Forms
platinumed past tense, platinums plural, platinums singular
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Etymology
From Spanish platina, "little silver," because the metal was originally found as an unwanted impurity in gold and seemed like an inferior form of silver.