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• nugget
  nugget

  noun

  a lump of something, as of precious metal.
• Nugget
  Nugget

  noun

  shoe polish

nugget

American  

[nuhg-it] / ˈnʌg ɪt /

noun

1. a lump of something, as of precious metal.

2. a lump of native gold.

3. anything of great value, significance, or the like.

   nuggets of wisdom.

4. a bite-size piece of chicken, fish, etc., usually batter-fried.

5. Welding. (in a spot-weld) the metal fused.

6. Australian.

   1. a powerful, heavy animal.

   2. a strong, thickset man.

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Nugget ¹ British  

/ ˈnʌɡɪt /

noun

1. shoe polish

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verb

1. informal (tr; sometimes not capital) to shine (shoes)

nugget ² British  

/ ˈnʌɡɪt /

noun

1. a small piece or lump, esp of gold in its natural state

2. something small but valuable or excellent

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Other Word Forms

• nuggety
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of nugget

1850–55; perhaps diminutive of obsolete nug small piece, variant of nog ²; see -et

Example Sentences

In other words, the urge to order a plate of buttered noodles or a perfectly crisp chicken nugget isn’t childish.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

Beguiled by photos of teensy piglets, she chose the runt of the litter—a tiny, shivering nugget for $350.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Rory was devastated when his dad took his last chicken nugget at a home game of their beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers - and his despair was caught on the stadium's big screen.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

In the end, investors are likely to follow another nugget of wisdom from the Obi-wan cannon: “Your eyes can deceive you. Don’t trust them.”

From Barron's • Dec. 4, 2025

In his mind, at least, there is no real link between a nugget and a chicken except the name.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan