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 tread of the guards sweeping through the galleries, the hum of the central air, the golden light falling unwitnessed through the great glass windows in the lobby. —Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026

Tucked at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe’s remarkable high desert landscapes and enchanting golden light feel almost otherworldly. —Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026

Hundreds of thousands from Europe and elsewhere arrived for the glorious tropical climate, golden Caribbean beaches, and plentiful job opportunities. —The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026

Cook and stir until golden brown, about 4 minutes. —Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 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