gold digger

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Word: Gold Digger

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition:

1. Common meaning: A "gold digger" is someone, usually a woman, who forms a romantic relationship or marries a wealthy person mainly to gain money, gifts, or other valuables. They are often seen as being more interested in the partner's wealth than in genuine love or affection.
2. Literal meaning: A "gold digger" can also refer to a miner who digs for gold in places where gold is found, such as rivers or gold fields.

Usage Instructions:

• The term is often used in a negative or derogatory way to describe someone who is seen as exploiting another person for their money.
• It’s important to note that this term can be considered offensive, so use it carefully and be aware of the context.

Example Sentences:

• "She was called a gold digger because she only seemed interested in his expensive gifts."
• "In the old days, many gold diggers would pan for gold in rivers during the gold rush."

Advanced Usage:

• The term can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is overly focused on material wealth in any kind of relationship, not just romantic ones.
• In discussions about relationships and social dynamics, the term might come up to analyze motives behind partnerships.

Word Variants:

• Gold-digging (adjective): Describing the behavior or attitude of a gold digger. Example: "His gold-digging ex-girlfriend left him after he lost his job."

Different Meaning:

• The literal meaning refers to someone who seeks physical gold, such as a miner, and does not carry the same negative connotation.

Synonyms:

• Gold seeker (in the literal sense)
• Money seeker
• Materialistic person (in a broader sense)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "gold digger," but you might hear phrases like "keeping up with the Joneses," which refers to the desire to have the same material wealth as one's neighbors or peers.

Summary:

A "gold digger" typically describes a person, often a woman, who is primarily interested in someone else’s wealth rather than in a genuine relationship. It's a term that can imply selfishness and opportunism, and while it can refer literally to someone mining for gold, it's most commonly used negatively in social contexts.

Academic

Noun

1. a woman who associates with or marries a rich man in order to get valuables from him through gifts or a divorce settlement
2. a miner who digs or pans for gold in a gold field

Synonyms

• gold miner
• gold panner