As a common precious metal, Au nanoparticles (NPs) perform excellent physical and chemical properties. It’s properties are related with the microstructure, morphology and size of Au NPs. The structure and morphology of Au NPs determine their properties. The function and applications depend on properties. In the paper, the properties and applications of Au NPs were briefly introduced firstly, and the method for synthesis of common spherical Au NPs were elucidated. In addition, it is highlighted the versatile morphologies of Au NPs with different function, including rod-shaped, tubular, lamellar, flower-shaped, sea urchin shaped, polyhedron, and core/shell, etc. The approaches for synthesis of the Au NPs with different morphologies and their application were summarized in detail, respectively. Finally, the development of Au NPs in the future was prospected.