pyrite Definition
a shiny, yellow mineral consisting of iron and sulfur, often mistaken for gold.
Using pyrite: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pyrite" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The miners thought they had struck gold, but it turned out to be pyrite.
Example
Pyrite is often used in jewelry as a substitute for gold.
Example
The museum had a collection of pyrite specimens on display.
pyrite Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for pyrite
- brass
- chrysocolla
- fool's gold
- iron pyrite
Phrases with pyrite
fool's gold
a mineral that looks like gold but is not valuable
Example
The prospector was disappointed to find only fool's gold in the mine.
a common mineral that consists of iron disulfide, has a pale brass-yellow color and metallic luster, and is burned in making sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid
Example
Iron pyrite is often found in coal seams and other sedimentary rocks.
a yellow alloy of copper and zinc, sometimes including small amounts of other metals
Example
The doorknob was made of brass and shone brightly in the sunlight.
Summary: pyrite in Brief
Pyrite [ˈpaɪraɪt] is a shiny, yellow mineral consisting of iron and sulfur, often mistaken for gold. It is also known as 'fool's gold' and is used as a substitute for gold in jewelry. Pyrite is commonly found in coal seams and other sedimentary rocks.