golden
golden
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "golden" is /ˈɡoʊl.dən/.
go: /ˈɡoʊl/
den: /dən/
Word Form Variations
Adjective: golden
Noun: gold (related noun), (no direct noun plural for 'golden' itself, but 'goldens' can refer to things like Golden Retrievers)
Verb: golden (less common, as in "to make golden"), gilded (related verb, from 'gild')
Adverb: goldenly (very rare)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Golden
Having the color or luster of gold.
Synonyms: gold, yellowish, gilded, radiant, lustrous
Antonyms: silver (by contrast), dull, pale, faded
Made of gold.
Synonyms: gold, auric
Antonyms: silver, bronze (other metals, by contrast)
Excellent, valuable, or highly auspicious; very successful or prosperous.
Synonyms: excellent, valuable, precious, propitious, auspicious, thriving, prosperous
Antonyms: terrible, worthless, unfortunate, disastrous, bleak
Marking a significant anniversary or period of fifty years.
Synonyms: fiftieth (for anniversary), celebratory
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms; refers to a specific milestone)
(Of a period of time) prosperous, flourishing, and peaceful.
Synonyms: prosperous, flourishing, halcyon, blissful, idyllic
Antonyms: troubled, difficult, tumultuous, dark
Verb
Golden (less common as a verb)
To make something golden in color or appearance. (Often used in cooking or metaphorically)
Synonyms: gild, tinge with gold, brighten, illuminate
Antonyms: darken, tarnish, dull
Adverb
Goldenly (very rare in common usage)
In a way that is golden in color or quality.
Synonyms: radiantly, brilliantly, brightly
Antonyms: dully, dimly
Examples of Use
Books
Children's Literature: Many classic fairy tales feature "golden apples," "golden eggs," or a "golden key." Charlie and the Chocolate Factory famously includes "Golden Tickets" (Penguin, February 2007).
Non-fiction (History/Mythology): Authors discuss the "Golden Age" of various civilizations or "golden rules" of behavior. "The ancient Greeks believed in a mythical Golden Age" (Cambridge University Press, May 2022).
Poetry: Poets often use "golden" to evoke warmth, light, or preciousness. "The sun cast a golden glow over the fields."
Newspapers
News Articles: Journalists report on anniversaries or significant achievements as "golden." A headline might read, "City Celebrates Golden Jubilee of Independence" (The Daily Nation, December 2024). Business news might refer to a "golden parachute" for an executive.
Sports Sections: Articles often mention athletes winning "golden medals" at major championships. "The swimmer captured her third golden medal."
Lifestyle Sections: These might feature articles on "golden hour" photography tips or recipes for "golden brown roasted potatoes."
Online Publications
Travel Blogs: Bloggers often describe sunset views as "golden hour" or refer to a destination as a "golden paradise." "Capture the perfect shot during the golden hour."
E-commerce Sites: Products like jewelry, electronics, or accessories are often available in a "golden" finish. "Browse our new collection of golden earrings."
Health & Wellness Blogs: Articles might discuss the benefits of "golden milk" (turmeric milk) for health.
Social Media: Users share photos of landscapes during the "golden hour," use "golden" to describe excellent advice, or celebrate "gold" anniversaries.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Movies/TV Shows: Cinematic scenes often utilize "golden hour" lighting for a warm, soft aesthetic. Characters might receive a "golden ticket" or encounter "golden treasures." A character might be described as having "golden hair."
Music: Song lyrics frequently use "golden" to describe beauty, cherished memories, or positive feelings. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." "A golden oldie."
Video Games: Games often feature "golden coins" as currency, "golden weapons" as rare items, or a "golden path" to follow for quests.
Awards Ceremonies: Many prestigious awards are represented by "golden statues" (e.g., Oscar, Emmy, Grammy).
Podcasts: Historical podcasts might discuss the "Golden Age" of radio or Hollywood.
General Public Discourse
Conversations: In daily speech, people commonly refer to "golden opportunities," "golden rules," or "golden anniversaries." "That was a golden piece of advice."
Workplace: Colleagues might discuss a "golden opportunity" to expand the business or a "set of golden rules" for customer service.
Education: Teachers often refer to the "Golden Rule" of treating others as you wish to be treated.
Celebrations: Couples celebrate their "golden anniversary" (50 years).
Figurative Use: "Golden handshake" (generous severance package) or "golden boy/girl" (a favored or successful young person) are common. "He was the team's golden boy."
10 Quotes Using Golden
"Silence is golden." (Proverb)
"The Golden Rule is to treat others as you wish to be treated." (Common Principle/Proverb)
"Stay gold, Ponyboy." (S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders)
"The golden age of anything is the age when we are no longer there." (Will Rogers)
"Every new sunrise offers a new golden opportunity for growth."
"A truly golden heart is worth more than any material crown."
"The wisdom gleaned from lived experience is a golden treasure."
"He found his golden path through unwavering perseverance and sheer grit."
"True joy lies in appreciating the simple, golden moments of everyday life."
"Let us collectively strive to build a golden future for all generations to come."
Etymology
The word "golden" comes from the Old English word "gylden," which meant "made of gold" or "of the color of gold." It's directly related to the word "gold" itself.
The first known use of "golden" in English, with the meaning of "made of gold," dates back to before the 9th century. It appeared in texts referring to objects crafted from the metal or things that had its distinctive color. Over time, its meaning expanded to include things that are excellent, valuable, or represent a prosperous period, building on the preciousness of gold.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Golden
Golden opportunity: A perfect chance to achieve something. "This new project is a golden opportunity for our team."
Golden rule: The principle of treating others as one would wish to be treated. "Always remember the golden rule in your interactions."
Golden handshake: A generous payment given to someone when they leave a company, often as a result of retirement or redundancy. "The outgoing CEO received a substantial golden handshake."
Golden age: A period of great peace, prosperity, and happiness. "Many consider the 1950s the golden age of Hollywood."
Golden boy/girl: A favored or successful young man or woman. "He was the team's golden boy after scoring the winning goal."
Golden hour: The period shortly after sunrise or before sunset, noted for its soft, warm light in photography. "Photographers love shooting during the golden hour."
Golden ticket: A rare or highly coveted opportunity or privilege. "Getting accepted into that program felt like a golden ticket."
Golden parachute: Similar to a golden handshake; a clause in an executive's employment contract that provides them with a significant severance package in the event of termination. "The company's executives are protected by golden parachute clauses."
Golden mean: The desirable middle between two extremes. "Aristotle advocated for the golden mean in all things."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of golden from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
