goldilocks
goldilocks Lexical Profile
goldilocks Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The golden-haired heroine of the classic fairy tale 'The Story of the Three Bears', who rejects items that are too extreme in favor of those that are 'just right' (capitalized as 'Goldilocks').
"The children listened eagerly as the teacher read the story of Goldilocks tasting the three bowls of porridge."
A person with golden or bright blond hair.
"The little goldilocks ran across the meadow with her curls shining in the afternoon sun."
British Any of several Eurasian herbaceous flowering plants known for their clusters of bright yellow blossoms, especially the goldilocks buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus) of the family Ranunculaceae or the goldilocks aster (Galatella linosyris) of the family Asteraceae.
• adjective
Characterized by moderate, balanced, or optimal conditions that avoid extreme states (usually capitalized as 'Goldilocks', especially in astronomy and economics).
"Central bankers welcomed the Goldilocks economy, which sustained steady job growth without triggering inflation."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the 16th century as a descriptive compound of 'golden' and 'locks' (hair), the name was later given in the early 20th century to the young heroine of Robert Southey's 1837 fairy tale 'The Story of the Three Bears'.