fool's gold


noun

iron or copper pyrites, sometimes mistaken for gold.

Origin of fool's gold

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

British Dictionary definitions for fool's gold

fool's gold

noun

any of various yellow minerals, esp pyrite or chalcopyrite, that can be mistaken for gold

Scientific definitions for fool's gold

fool's gold
[ fōōlz ]

Any of several minerals, especially pyrite and chalcopyrite, sometimes mistaken for gold.