goldmine

IPA/ɡˈəʊldmaɪn/
KK[ɡˈoldmˌaɪn]IPA/ɡˈoʊldmˌaɪn/

goldmine — noun

1. something that can provide a large amount of money, useful information, or anoth

1.nounB2
Definition

something that can provide a large amount of money, useful information, or another valuable thing, as if it were a mine full of precious metal

Example

The old bookstore turned out to be a goldmine of rare first-edition novels.

goldmine of [valuable items]

For archaeologists, the sunken ship was a goldmine of ancient artifacts and coins.

Common collocations
  • a goldmine of
  • a goldmine for
  • proved a goldmine
  • turned out to be a goldmine
  • is a goldmine
Synonyms
  • treasure trove

    suggests a discovered collection of hidden valuables, often cultural or artistic

  • bonanza

    carries a stronger sense of sudden financial profit or windfall

  • mother lode

    emphasises an extremely abundant, almost inexhaustible supply of a specific resource

Antonyms
  • dud

    something that fails to deliver any expected value

  • dead end

    a source that leads nowhere or produces nothing useful

Usage Note

Almost always followed by 'of' (specifying what is provided) or 'for' (specifying who benefits). The definite or indefinite article is common: 'a goldmine' or 'the goldmine'.

Common Mistakes

This book is a goldmine' (vague — needs context).
This book is a goldmine of information about local history.
'goldmine' nearly always needs 'of' or 'for' to explain the value.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four terms describe a rich supply of something valuable. 'Goldmine' is the most general, used for money, information, or any useful resource. 'Treasure trove' emphasises the discovery of a hidden collection, often cultural or historical ('The attic was a treasure trove of old letters'). 'Bonanza' carries an economic or windfall sense, especially sudden profit ('The oil strike was a bonanza for the town'). 'Mother lode' is the most emphatic, suggesting an almost inexhaustible source of a specific resource, borrowed from mining jargon ('The archive was a mother lode of genealogical records'). Note that 'gold mine' (two words) is interchangeable with 'goldmine' but slightly less common in figurative use.

treasure trovebonanzamother lode ↗gold mine

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

First recorded around 1605, 'goldmine' (also written 'gold mine') originally meant a literal mine where gold ore is extracted. By the 1800s it had taken on a figurative meaning: any abundant source of wealth or valuable things. The metaphor compares the effort of digging for gold to the act of searching through a source and finding great reward.