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

Super fine golden pearls give a gorgeous gleam while coconut, avocado and argan oils, plus squalane and vitamin E nourish skin and add radiance. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Mornings stretch slowly over strong coffee and views of the turquoise Aegean and afternoons are for swimming at golden beaches, exploring stone pathways punctuated by hot pink cascades of bougainvillea, or doing nothing at all. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025

Meanwhile, in California, the logo is a golden bear with a star in the middle and in Texas, the Real ID is a golden circle with a white star at the top right corner. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025

Photo: Courtesy of Belvedere Palace Belvedere Palace Where Klimt’s The Kiss hangs in full golden glory. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2025

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