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

The first unit showcases an eye-catching colorway in which the deep green on the hulls transitions to a golden bronze as the light changes. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 July 2026

Flip sandwiches, and cook, covered, until golden on second side and cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes more. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 15 July 2026

Who knows whether last season was the start of a golden era for the Commodores or the end of one. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 15 July 2026

United Arab Emirates Many golden visas necessitate proof of out-of-country employment, whether a full-time gig or contract with an employer based elsewhere. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 July 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