golden girl

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A young woman who is highly successful and admired, especially in sports or entertainment.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a golden girl' or 'the golden girls'.

   Patterns

   • a golden girl of something
   • the golden girl of something

   After winning three Olympic medals, she became the golden girl of British athletics.

   The media called her the golden girl of tennis, but she disliked the pressure.

   Every generation seems to produce a new golden girl of pop music.

2. 2nouncountabledisapproving

   A woman who is favored by a person or organization and given special treatment.

   Grammar: Often used with 'the' and 'of': 'the golden girl of the party'.

   Patterns

   • someone's golden girl
   • the golden girl of something

   She was the boss's golden girl and got all the best assignments.

   Critics said he was surrounded by golden girls who never challenged his ideas.

Word forms

Common combinations

the golden girl of something

She was once the golden girl of figure skating.

become the golden girl

He became the golden girl of the tech world after the launch.

media golden girl

The media golden girl gave interviews every day.

former golden girl

The former golden girl now works as a coach.

Synonyms and how they differ

darling

Used for someone who is loved or favored, often in a particular group; 'golden girl' emphasizes success and public admiration more.

star

A more general word for a very successful performer; 'golden girl' is more specific to a young woman and often implies a temporary period of glory.

favorite

Focuses on being preferred by someone in power; 'golden girl' suggests wider public admiration as well.

Word family

golden boy noun

The male equivalent: a young man who is highly successful and admired.

Practice

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