WordGarden.ionugget
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈʌɡɪt/
US
- /ˈnəɡɪt/
Meanings
Noun
a small bite-sized piece of battered or breaded food, especially chicken
a small compact lump or piece of something, especially gold
a small useful piece of information, advice, or insight
Beyond the definition
A nugget is often a small, solid piece of something, especially something valuable, like gold found during a gold rush. But it does not have to be treasure. Chicken nuggets are a common food, and a "nugget of wisdom" is a small but valuable piece of advice. Think of it as something small that still has real value.
The word often suggests something small but worth noticing. A detective might find a useful "nugget" of information in a case, while a writer might find a little "nugget" of inspiration for the next story. It is all about finding value in a small form.
The word "nugget" originally referred to a small lump of gold, the kind prospectors hoped to find during the California Gold Rush and similar events. These pieces of gold were highly valued, not just for how they looked but for their real worth. That original meaning still remains, and we often connect the word with something precious or valuable.
However, over time, "nugget" has taken on a wider meaning. It can now describe any small, compact piece of something, and it does not have to be gold. One of the most common modern examples is chicken nuggets, which are small pieces of breaded chicken eaten as a quick meal or snack.
The word also has a figurative meaning. A "nugget of information" is a small but important piece of knowledge, while a "nugget of wisdom" is a short and helpful piece of advice. You might say, "She shared a useful nugget about managing stress," or "The historian uncovered a fascinating nugget from old texts."
So whether it is gold, food, or a small spark of understanding, a nugget is something small in size but often big in value. The idea behind the word is simple: something little can still be important, useful, or worth having.
Examples
- 1
Fast food
The kids shared a box of chicken nuggets after school.
- 2
Gold
He found a small gold nugget in the riverbed.
- 3
Advice
The article includes one useful nugget of advice for first-time renters.
- Patterna nugget of advice/information
a small useful piece of it
- 4
Interview
The best nugget from the interview was that the singer writes every morning.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Wisdom
Her grandfather was always dropping little nuggets of wisdom at the dinner table.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- nuggetnoun
Forms
- nuggetspluralnoun