golden

adjective

gold·​en ˈgōl-dən 

1

: consisting of, relating to, or containing gold

2

a

: being or having the color gold or the color of gold

b

: blond sense 1

3

: lustrous, shining

4

: of a high degree of excellence : superb

5

: prosperous, flourishing

golden days

6

a

: radiantly youthful and vigorous

b

: having talents that promise great success

—often used with boy

c

: highly favored : popular

7

: favorable, advantageous

a golden opportunity

8

: of, relating to, or being a 50th anniversary or its celebration

9

: mellow, resonant

a smooth golden tenor

goldenly adverb

goldenness

ˈgōl-də(n)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• auspicious
• bright
• encouraging
• fair
• heartening
• hopeful
• likely
• optimistic
• promising
• propitious
• rose-colored
• roseate
• rosy
• upbeat

Examples of golden in a Sentence

The memoir recounts the golden times in her life.

this may be your golden moment to impress a baseball scout, so don't blow it

Recent Examples on the Web

Upon arriving in a small town on the Amalfi Coast, Ripley quickly ingratiates himself with the gregarious golden boy and is invited into an exclusive world of luxury villas, lazy lunches and flowing martinis, much to the distaste of Dickie’s girlfriend, Marge (Dakota Fanning). —Elaina Patton, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024

Serafini and Emporio Armani, luminescent golden hair brought light to models’ faces, negating the need for copious amounts of makeup. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024

This seemingly golden moment lasted only a short time before the military cracked down on the ethnic Rohingya in Rakhine State, in the country’s northwest, in a campaign that has been widely condemned as genocide. —Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024

Giant counterweight Suspended from 92 thick cables between the 87th and 92nd floors, the golden steel sphere can move about 5 feet in any direction. —Oscar Holland, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

The first hour after a rattlesnake bite is often called the golden hour. —The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024

The daffodils will be blooming and each hunt will include a golden egg. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024

Whoever finds the golden egg receives complimentary brunch. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2024

The purpose of the pan fry isn't to cook the chicken through, but to give it a golden crust. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing golden

• golden age
• golden-ager
• golden alga
• golden glow
• golden club
• golden eagle
• golden-brown alga
• golden parachute
• golden nematode
• golden oldie
• golden opportunity
• golden lion tamarin
• golden handcuffs
• golden mean
• golden handshake
• golden hamster
• golden shower
• golden shiner
• golden rule
• golden section
• golden ratio
• golden rain tree
• golden retriever
• golden plover
• golden raisin
• golden trout
• golden syrup
• golden ticket
• golden years
• silence is golden
• the goose that lays the golden egg
• the golden goose
• kill the golden goose
• golden pothos
• golden Alexanders

Kids Definition

golden

adjective

gold·​en ˈgōl-dən 

1

: consisting of, relating to, or containing gold

2

: having the color of gold

golden hair

3

: prosperous

a golden age

4

: favorable sense 2

a golden opportunity

5

: having a rich and smooth sound

a golden voice

6

: of or relating to a 50th anniversary