goldilocks

American  

[gohl-dee-loks] / ˈgoʊl diˌlɒks /

noun

plural

goldilocks

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

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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

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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

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 • Dec. 30, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

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

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2025

Most traditional economists also believe that the labor market and wider economy have a sort of goldilocks point.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2022

In the spring there would be pale blue violets and primroses, goldilocks, wood anemones, and white Stellaria.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman