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Synonyms

gold digger

American  

noun

  1. a person who seeks or digs for gold in a gold field.

  2. Informal. a woman who associates with or marries a man chiefly for material gain.


gold-digger British  

noun

  1. a person who prospects or digs for gold

  2. informal a woman who uses her sexual attractions to accumulate gifts and wealth or advance her social position

"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

Other Word Forms

  • gold-digging noun

Etymology

Origin of gold digger

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Julia, a successful businesswoman in textile design, knows that her father will be alarmed at this impetuous engagement and will want to make sure that Johnny isn’t a gold digger.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

Despite the duplex, Ferrari, Bentleys and various expensive baubles he has showered upon her, she seems too delusional and naive to be called a gold digger.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2024

In the first season, they treat her as if she's a gold digger.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2023

Snoop has denied the claims, according to TMZ, and wrote on Instagram that "gold digger season is here".

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2022

I look around the room for Darius, to see if there’s any hint that he might’ve heard what Layla just said about Janae being a gold digger.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi