golden
GOHL-duhn
Golden (adj) means Made of gold, or coloured like it. Example: “The sunset painted the clouds a deep golden orange.”
adj
1
Made of gold, or coloured like it.
"The sunset painted the clouds a deep golden orange."
"She has beautiful golden hair."
"She wore a golden necklace that sparkled in the candlelight."
2
Marked by great success, prosperity, or excellence.
"The 1960s are remembered as a golden era for the band."
"This is a golden opportunity to expand into new markets."
"Winning the final was a golden moment for the whole team."
How to use golden
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither gold-coloured, or figuratively describing something excellent, prosperous, or especially favourable.
Common pairings
golden opportunity
golden age
golden rule
golden anniversary
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- goldens
- Past tense
- goldened
- Comparative
- more golden, goldener
- Superlative
- most golden, goldenest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sunset painted the clouds a deep _____ orange.
Etymology
From Old English gylden, built from "gold" plus the adjective ending "-en," the same pattern seen in "wooden" or "silken."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for golden
See all rhymes for golden →Frequently asked questions
What does “golden” mean?
The word “golden” means made of gold, or coloured like it. In plain terms, either gold-coloured, or figuratively describing something excellent, prosperous, or especially favourable.
How do you pronounce “golden”?
“Golden” is pronounced GOHL-duhn (/ˈɡoʊl.dən/ in IPA).
How do you use “golden” in a sentence?
Here is “golden” used in a sentence: “The sunset painted the clouds a deep golden orange.”
What part of speech is “golden”?
“Golden” is an adjective.
Where does the word “golden” come from?
The word “golden” comes from Old English. From Old English gylden, built from "gold" plus the adjective ending "-en," the same pattern seen in "wooden" or "silken.".
Is “golden” a common word?
“Golden” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “golden” have?
“Golden” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made of gold, or coloured like it.
What is the difference between golden and gold?
Gold most often names the metal or the exact colour of it, and works as both noun and adjective. Golden usually means resembling gold — gold-coloured, shining, or made of gold — and carries figurative warmth, as in golden hair, a golden sunset, or a golden opportunity.
What does golden mean figuratively?
Beyond colour, golden suggests something excellent, precious, or favourable. A golden opportunity is a valuable chance, a golden age is a peak period, and the golden years often means a happy older age. The metal's worth and warm glow give the word its positive, prized associations.
What is an example of golden?
Golden describes anything gold in colour or made of gold: golden sand, golden hair, a golden ring, or golden light at sunset. Figuratively it appears in phrases like golden opportunity, golden age, and golden rule, where it signals something valuable, ideal, or especially good.
Is golden a positive word?
Generally, yes. Literally it describes the warm, bright colour of gold, which many find appealing, and figuratively it implies value, success, and happiness — as in golden years or a golden chance. Only in a few ironic uses does it turn negative; its default associations are wealth, warmth, and worth.
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