golden

Etymology 1

From Middle English golden, a restored form (due to the noun gold) of earlier Middle English gulden, gylden, gilden ("golden"; > English gilden), from Old English gylden (“golden”), from Proto-West Germanic *gulþīn, from Proto-Germanic *gulþīnaz (“golden, made of gold”), equivalent to gold + -en. Cognate with Dutch gouden, gulden (“golden”), German gülden, golden (“golden”), Danish gylden (“golden”). Doublet of gilden. More at gold.

adj

1. Made of, or relating to, gold.
   She wore a golden crown.
   And now the concern which Partridge felt at being obliged to quit the warm chimney-corner, and a cup of excellent liquor, was somewhat compensated by hearing that he was to proceed no farther on foot, for Jones, by golden arguments, had prevailed with the boy to attend him back to the inn whither he had before conducted Sophia […] 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
2. Having a colour or other richness suggestive of gold.
   Under a golden sun.
   golden:
3. Of a beverage, flavoured or colored with turmeric.
4. Marked by prosperity, creativity etc.
   The Renaissance was a golden era.
   the Golden Horseshoe
5. Advantageous or very favourable.
   This is a golden opportunity
   ... a seasoned Champions League outfit, who beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp in 2009-10 and continually worked their way between the home defence to create some golden opportunities. October 20, 2011, Jamie Lillywhite, “Tottenham 1 - 0 Rubin Kazan”, in BBC Sport
6. Relating to a fiftieth anniversary.
   It's not long until our golden wedding.
7. Relating to the elderly or retired.
   After retiring, Bob and Judy moved to Arizona to live out their golden years.
8. (UK, slang) Fine, without problems.
   Many anti-fog variety goggles are available, but if you don't get that type, just rub a little spit on the lenses before you put them on in the water and you'll be golden. 2007, Colin Barr, Steve Katai, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Triathlon Training, Penguin, page 28
   Therefore, the task ahead is easy. When the spotlight is on you, never let the audience down and you'll be golden. 2009, Mark Wiskup, Presentation S.O.S.: From Perspiration to Persuasion in 9 Easy Steps, Hachette UK
   If all of the marks line up perfectly, then you're golden, and you can continue on with finishing up the installation. 2011, Wayne R. Dempsey, 101 Projects for Your Porsche Boxster, Motorbooks, page 68

noun

1. Kyphosus vaigiensis, a fish found in southeast Asia.
2. Ellipsis of golden retriever.
   The archives of the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) record goldens in the United States as early as the 1890s. 1995, Jaime J. Sucher, Golden Retrievers, Barron’s, page 76
   Golden retrievers, or goldens, make great family pets.[…]Goldens should be brushed regularly. 2017, Linda Bozzo, I Like Golden Retrievers! (Discover Dogs with the American Canine Association), Enslow Publishing, pages 4 and 15
   Throw a toy into the water, and watch your golden go for it! 2019, Sarah Frank, Golden Retrievers, Lerner Publishing Group, page 6
   People like petting goldens. 2021, Marcie Aboff, Fast Facts About Golden Retrievers (Fast Facts About Dogs), Raintree, Capstone Global Library Limited, page 13

Etymology 2

From gold + -en, or perhaps a derivation from the adjective above.

verb

1. (intransitive) To become gold or golden (in colour).
2. (transitive) To make golden or like gold.
   It goldened, as nothing else goldened, the commonplace countryside. 1994, Marion H. Hedges, Iron City