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 or girl

the golden boy/girl of tennis

c

: highly favored : popular

7

a

: favorable, advantageous

a golden opportunity

b

informal : in a very good or fortunate position

—not used before a noun

If the bank approves the loan, we're golden.

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 of golden

• bright
• promising
• optimistic
• rosy

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

Next steps involve getting zequanox approved for use in golden mussels through the California Environmental Protection Agency and hoping to get this rolled out in local waterways next year, possibly sooner, if California approves an emergency use. — Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Gather golden rod, sea holly, and grasses for a wildflower bouquet in autumnal hues. — Maria Sabella, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026

Not quite golden, not quite caramel, the shade occupies that sweet spot between the two, bringing warmth and dimension to blonde hair without tipping too yellow. — Emma-Jade Stoddart, Glamour, 20 Aug. 2026

The buckles, decorated with rubies, emeralds and pearls, along with a golden signet ring, suggested the ship was carrying someone of considerable status. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for golden

• bolden
• holden
• olden
• soldan
• beholden

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