carat

Q: What is the difference between a 'carat' and a 'karat'?

These two words are tricky , as one of them may refer both to the measurement of a precious stone's weight and to the purity of gold, while the other only refers to the purity of gold. Carat may be used for both, but karat is only employed in reference to gold.

Q: How much is a carat?

If carat is serving as a variant spelling of karat , then it is measuring the fineness, rather than the weight, of gold; each carat is equal to 1/24 part of pure gold. If carat is being used in reference to precious stones, it is a unit of weight equal to 200 milligrams.

1 of 2

noun (1)

car·at

variant spelling of karat

: a unit of fineness for gold equal to 1/24 part of pure gold in an alloy

carat

2 of 2

noun (2)

car·at ˈker-ət

ˈka-rət

: a unit of weight for precious stones equal to 200 milligrams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a carat and a karat?

These two words are tricky, as one of them may refer both to the measurement of a precious stone's weight and to the purity of gold, while the other only refers to the purity of gold. Carat may be used for both, but karat is only employed in reference to gold.

What is weighed in carats?

Precious stones are weighed in carats; a single carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Carat is also a variant spelling of karat, which measures the purity (but not the weight) of gold.

How much is a carat?

If carat is serving as a variant spelling of karat, then it is measuring the fineness, rather than the weight, of gold; each carat is equal to 1/24 part of pure gold. If carat is being used in reference to precious stones, it is a unit of weight equal to 200 milligrams.

Examples of carat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Noun

Exclusively for the English striker, Skechers has made a one-of-a-kind version of the boot featuring real 24-carat gold leaf that will be worn by Kane for Bayern Munich’s Sunday match against Borussia Dortmund. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026 Costco sells expensive engagement rings because customers, who may know little about cut, clarity and carat, or how to spot a synthetic diamond, trust that the quality has been vetted, the value is genuine and the company stands behind the product. — Jeffrey I. Cole, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026 Here, though, those gems are, well, real stones, weighing in at over 170 carats and, sadly, with no powers attached. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2026 The tennis pro, 28, flashed the 12-carat sparkler while posing on the beach. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for carat

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English carrat measure of fineness in gold, from Middle French carat measure of fineness in gold or of weight in gems, from Italian carato, from Arabic qīrāṭ bean pod, a small weight, from Greek keration carob bean, a small weight, from diminutive of kerat-, keras horn — more at horn

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1555, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of carat was in 1555

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cara sposa

carat

Caratacus

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Carat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carat. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

carat

1 of 2

variant of karat

carat

2 of 2 noun

car·at ˈkar-ət

: a unit of weight for precious gems (as diamonds) equal to 200 milligrams

carat

noun (1)

noun (2)

Frequently Asked Questions

Examples of carat in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

'Carat' vs. 'Karat' (vs. 'Caret')

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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carat

noun (1)

noun (2)

Frequently Asked Questions

Examples of carat in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for carat

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to carat

'Carat' vs. 'Karat' (vs. 'Caret')

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on carat

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