golden

¹ American  

[gohl-duhn] / ˈgoʊl dən /

adjective

1. bright, metallic, or lustrous like gold; of the color of gold; yellow.

   golden hair.

2. made or consisting of gold.

   golden earrings.

3. exceptionally valuable, advantageous, or fine.

   a golden opportunity.

4. having glowing vitality; radiant.

   golden youth.

5. full of happiness, prosperity, or vigor.

   golden hours;

   a golden era of exploration.

   Synonyms:

   joyous, glorious, splendid

6. highly talented and favored; destined for success.

   television's golden boy.

7. richly soft and smooth.

   a golden voice.

8. indicating the fiftieth event of a series.

   a golden wedding anniversary.

---

Golden ² American  

[gohl-duhn] / ˈgoʊl dən /

noun

1. a city in central Colorado.

---

golden British  

/ ˈɡəʊldən /

adjective

1. of the yellowish or brownish-yellow metallic colour of gold

   golden hair

2. made from or largely consisting of gold

   a golden statue

3. happy or prosperous

   golden days

4. (sometimes capital) (of anniversaries) the 50th in a series

   Golden Jubilee

   golden wedding

5. informal very successful or destined for success

   the golden girl of tennis

6. extremely valuable or advantageous

   a golden opportunity

---

Other Word Forms

• goldenly adverb
• goldenness noun
• ungolden adjective

Etymology

Origin of golden

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English; gold + -en ²

Example Sentences

Imagine a baby Brachiosaurus no bigger than a golden retriever searching for plants alongside its siblings while trying to avoid predators eager for an easy meal.

From Science Daily

In our alleged golden age of TV, comedy has been Cordelia, the disenfranchised child of a grim medium.

From The Wall Street Journal

She was positive that her golden boy could return from the grave and believed in the power of the Fox sisters’ mediumship to make that happen.

From Literature

“We are now entering a new phase in the golden age of nuclear,” declared Michael Shanks, a U.K. energy minister, as he recently talked up the country’s plans to attract private investment in new reactors.

From The Wall Street Journal

There was one showing the hills where Duane’s cave was, with a morning light washing them in an all too familiar golden hue.

From Literature

Related Words

• bright
• brilliant
• glorious
• rich
• shining