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goldilocks

American  
[gohl-dee-loks] / ˈgoʊl diˌlɒks /

noun

plural

goldilocks
  1. (used with a singular verb) a person with golden hair.


adjective

  1. (usually initial capital letter) not being extreme or not varying drastically between extremes, especially between hot and cold.

    a Goldilocks economy that is neither overheated nor too cold to cause a recession;

    a goldilocks planet such as Earth.

goldilocks British  
/ ˈɡəʊldɪˌlɒks /

noun

  1. a Eurasian plant, Aster linosyris (or Linosyris vulgaris ), with clusters of small yellow flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

  2. a Eurasian ranunculaceous woodland plant, Ranunculus auricomus, with yellow flowers See also buttercup

  3. (sometimes capital) a person, esp a girl, with light blond hair

  4. (modifier; sometimes capital) not prone to extremes of temperature, volatility, etc

    a goldilocks planet

    a goldilocks economy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of goldilocks

1540–50; obsolete goldy golden + lock 2 + -s 3; from the fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears , in which the golden-haired Goldilocks rejects uncomfortable extremes, as porridge that is too hot or too cold

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That could create a “goldilocks” growth‑inflation dynamic, but one accompanied by a wider fiscal deficit, the senior economist added.

From The Wall Street Journal

The government report predicts the rapid pace of economic expansion will continue and the “present macro-economic situation presents a rare goldilocks period of high growth and low inflation.”

From MarketWatch

“The economy is demonstrating a goldilocks scenario,” Teal said.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It's very hard to find a goldilocks position," he added.

From BBC

Calling the PMI a "goldilocks" report, Martin said it was "generally a good report" with prices moderating and "okay" employment.

From Reuters