Midas

American

[mahy-duhs] / ˈmaɪ dəs /

noun

Classical Mythology. a Phrygian king, son of Gordius, who was given by Dionysus the power of turning whatever he touched into gold.
a person of great wealth or great moneymaking ability.

MIDAS ¹ British

/ ˈmaɪdəs /

acronym

Missile Defence Alarm System

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Midas ² British

/ ˈmaɪdəs /

noun

Greek legend a king of Phrygia given the power by Dionysus of turning everything he touched to gold
ability to make money

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Midas Cultural

In classical mythology, a king who was granted one wish by the god Dionysus. Greedy for riches, Midas wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. He soon regretted his request. When he tried to eat, his food became inedible metal. When he embraced his daughter, she turned into a golden statue. On the instruction of Dionysus, he washed in a river and lost his touch of gold.

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A person who is very successful or easily acquires riches is sometimes said to have a “Midas touch.”

Example Sentences

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Midas

NABU’s Operation Midas alleged that Ukrainian officials pressured companies to pay kickbacks for contracts with the state nuclear-energy company Energoatom.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026

The original golden touch belonged to King Midas, who loved it until he accidentally killed his daughter by turning her into a gold statue.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026

At Spurs, this has been The Midas Touch in reverse.

From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2026

The operation, dubbed "Midas" -- after the king from Greek myths who turned everything he touches into gold -- led to several arrests.

From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2025

Of course Bacchus in granting the favor foresaw what would happen at the next meal, but Midas saw nothing until the food he lifted to his lips became a lump of metal.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023