pyrite

American  

[pahy-rahyt] / ˈpaɪ raɪt /

noun

1. a very common brass-yellow mineral, iron disulfide, FeS 2 , with a metallic luster, burned to sulfur dioxide in the manufacture of sulfuric acid: chemically similar to marcasite, but crystallizing in the isometric system.

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pyrite British  

/ paɪˈrɪtɪk, ˈpaɪraɪt /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: fool's gold.  Also called: iron pyrites.   pyrites.  a yellow mineral, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and in veins. It is a source of sulphur and is used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Composition: iron sulphide. Formula: FeS 2 . Crystal structure: cubic

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pyrite Scientific  

/ pī′rīt′ /

1. A silver to yellow, metallic, cubic mineral. Pyrite often crystallizes in cubes or octahedrons but also occurs as shapeless masses of grains. It occurs in most types of rocks, and is used as a source of iron and in making sulfur dioxide. It is a polymorph of marcasite. Because of its shiny look and often yellow color, it is sometimes mistaken for gold and for this reason is also called fool's gold. Chemical formula: FeS ₂ .

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pyritous
  adjective
• pyritical
  adjective
• pyritic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pyrite

1560–70; < Latin pyrītēs < Greek pyrī́tēs, noun use of adj.: of fire, so called because it produces sparks when struck. See pyr-, -ite ¹

Compare meaning

How does pyrite compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• chalcopyrite vs. pyrite

Example Sentences

Pyrite, sometimes called "fool's gold" because of its metallic shine, is an iron sulfide mineral commonly found in sedimentary environments.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

Cal Fire first reported a 2- to 3-acre fire in Jurupa Valley near Granite Hill Drive and Pyrite Street around 12:50 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2022

Pyrite cubes are oxidized, becoming new mineral goethite.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Despite its well-known natural riches, especially in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal has overlooked the sector for decades due to depressed metal prices and the financial crisis in the 1980s.

From Reuters • Jul. 4, 2012

Pyrite production in the past has been chiefly in the Appalachian region, particularly in Virginia and New York, and in California.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)