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

After the triumph of Spain’s golden generation, Perez and Madrid spent significant funds on the most promising prospects in Spanish football. — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Nicknamed the Emerald Coast, this land has miles of golden-sand beach on one side, mangrove estuaries, evergreen rainforest, and Sierra Madre mountains on the other. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026

Archie looked off into the distance to see the golden sunset. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

These tasty crisps contain brown and golden flax, chia, quinoa, and sea salt and are ideal for serving with hummus or for simply snacking on their own. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 23 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