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Glite Dictionary
Au

Au

4.5
A symbol for the metal gold on the periodic table
  • noun
  • /ɔː/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Au
  • Investors often look for Au as a safe haven during economic uncertainty.

Examples

  • Here's gold, AU as an interstitial form, it diffuses quite, quite rapidly.

  • It says AU for gold and a pick and a shovel.

  • The ring was made of Au, making it both beautiful and valuable.

  • The jewelry store displayed several necklaces crafted from high-purity Au.

Synonyms

gold
vsAu
∞ 1.0

A soft yellow metal that is valuable and used for jewelry and money

is the chemical symbol for the element rather than the metal name
aurum
vsAu
  • Literature
1 9.9

A Latin name that scientists and writers use for the metal gold

is the chemical symbol used in scientific notation rather than the Latin name

Idioms

au naturel
  • NSFW
4 9.6

Not wearing clothes or makeup

au contraire
3 8.9

To say that something is the opposite of what was just said

au courant
  • Formal
1 9.9

Aware of recent events and developments in a field

Compounds

au revoir
22 8.5

A polite way to say goodbye when you expect to see someone again

au pair
7 5.8

A young person from another country who lives with a family and helps look after children for room and food

au gratin
4 6.3

Covered with browned breadcrumbs and cheese and baked until golden

coq au vin
3 8.5

A French dish of chicken cooked slowly in red wine with onions and mushrooms

steak au poivre
1 8.6

A piece of beef covered in crushed pepper and cooked in a hot pan with a brandy and butter sauce

au jus
1 8.5

Meat that is served with its own natural juices or thin gravy

au pair girl
  • Archaic
1 6.3

A young woman who lives with a family and cares for children while getting room, food and a small payment

baba au rhum
1 9.9

A small sweet yeast cake soaked in rum syrup and often served with whipped cream

vol-au-vent
1 9.6

A small hollow case of puff pastry filled with meat or creamy sauce

cafe au lait
4.6

A hot drink made of equal parts hot coffee and hot milk

pot-au-feu
8.5

A French stew of beef and vegetables slowly cooked in water or broth

Surface Forms

Au singular
AUs plural

Etymology

Au comes from the Latin word aurum, which means 'gold'. A helpful way to remember this is to think of the golden light of the dawn, as in aurora, so Au stands for the shiny, yellow metal gold.