golden calf

[ gohl-duhn kaf, kahf ]

/ ˈgoʊl dən ˈkæf, ˈkɑf /

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See synonyms for golden calf on Thesaurus.com

noun

a golden idol set up by Aaron and worshiped by the Israelites. Exodus 32.

either of the two similar idols set up by Jeroboam. 1 Kings 12:28, 29.

money or material goods as an object of worship or pursuit.

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Origin of golden calf

First recorded in 1350–1400

Words nearby golden calf

golden bantam corn, Golden Bough, golden-brown algae, golden buck, Golden Bull, golden calf, golden chain, golden circle, golden club, golden-crowned kinglet, golden currant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use golden calf in a sentence

From ancient myths extolling its sacred nature and promises of immortality and power to new golden calves capable of conferring overnight riches, gold, in the face of our increasingly digital world, has reached a crossroads.
Harnessing the Power of Gold|Sean Culligan|June 1, 2021|Ozy
But on Thursday Boxer triggered a Golden State political earthquake, announcing that she would not seek a fifth term in 2016.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races|David Freedlander|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The former Virginia governor was once the golden boy of the GOP.
2014 Was a Delectably Good Year for Sleaze|Patricia Murphy|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Second Republic was also considered the another golden age for Korean Cinema.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And the series was implausibly shut out by both the Golden Globe and SAG Awards.
‘The Comeback’ Finale: Give Lisa Kudrow All of the Awards|Kevin Fallon|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Congratulations on your Golden Globe nomination for Best Director.
Ava DuVernay on ‘Selma,’ the Racist Sony Emails, and Making Golden Globes History|Marlow Stern|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A small book, bound in full purple calf, lay half hidden in a nest of fine tissue paper on the dressing-table.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
I pictured him as slim and young looking, smooth-faced, with golden curly hair, and big brown eyes.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
Centurus aurifrons dubius (Cabot): Golden-fronted Woodpecker.
Summer Birds From the Yucatan Peninsula|Erwin E. Klaas
No man should regard the subject of religion as decided for him until he has read The Golden Bough.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
He set down as the second the golden rule, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them.”
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for golden calf

golden calf

noun

Old Testament

an idol made by Aaron and set up for the Israelites to worship (Exodus 32)
either of two similar idols set up by Jeroboam I at Dan and Bethel in the northern kingdom (I Kings 12:28–30)

informal the pursuit or idolization of material wealth

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

Cultural definitions for golden calf

golden calf

An idol that the Israelites made during the Exodus. While God was giving Moses the Ten Commandments and other provisions of the Mosaic law on Mount Sinai, the people whom Moses was leading to the Promised Land melted down their gold jewelry and ornaments and built a golden calf, which they began to worship. Moses came down from the mountain carrying two stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written; when he saw the calf, he smashed the tablets and made the people destroy the idol.

notes for golden calf

By extension, a “golden calf” is any false god or anything worshiped undeservedly.

golden calf

Origin of golden calf

Words nearby golden calf

Words related to golden calf

How to use golden calf in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for golden calf

Cultural definitions for golden calf

notes for golden calf