golden
golden Lexical Profile
golden Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having the bright, lustrous yellow color or shine of gold.
"The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow across the wheat fields."
Marked by exceptional prosperity, success, happiness, or favorable opportunity.
"Accepting the fellowship abroad proved to be a golden opportunity for her research career."
Made of, containing, or coated with gold (now mostly used in poetic, figurative, or traditional contexts).
"In the ancient myth, the hero set out to recover the golden chalice from the temple."
Designating the fiftieth anniversary of a significant event, such as a wedding or founding.
"The entire extended family gathered to celebrate their grandparents' golden wedding anniversary."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Gold' is generally preferred for literal items physically made of the metal (a gold ring, a gold coin), whereas 'golden' is primarily used for color, appearance, or figurative excellence (golden hair, a golden opportunity).
• Rhymes for golden
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English goldene, replaced Old English gylden, derived from gold plus the suffix -en indicating material or quality.