a person who seeks or digs for gold in a gold field.
Informal. a woman who associates with or marries a man chiefly for material gain.
a person who prospects or digs for gold
informal a woman who uses her sexual attractions to accumulate gifts and wealth or advance her social position
An Americanism dating back to 1820–30
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
Necheles continually accused Daniels of being a liar and a gold digger.
From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2024
In the first season, they treat her as if she's a gold digger.
From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2023
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
I didn’t call her a gold-digger, but I do think what he has and chooses to give to his children should be none of her business.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 13, 2026
Some labelled her a "gold-digger," claiming she married him for wealth or a secure government job with perks.
From BBC ● Dec. 9, 2025
And he even characterized Heard as a "gold-digger," a "narcissist" and a sociopath.
From Salon ● Apr. 13, 2022
Patrizia comes across like a bit of gold-digger.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 22, 2021
Just as well, or rather better, than you turn shepherd or gold-digger.
From Tony Butler by Lever, Charles James
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
