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Meaning & use

golden glow

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌɡəʊldən ˈɡləʊ/
US/ˌɡoʊldən ˈɡloʊ/

Meanings

  1. nounsingular

    A soft, warm, yellow-gold light, such as the light of the sun low in the sky.

    Grammar: Usually appears with an or the and a description of where it falls: a golden glow over the fields.

    Patterns

    • a golden glow over something
    • bathed in a golden glow

    The setting sun cast a golden glow over the hills.

    A golden glow spread across the kitchen as the lamp was lit.

    The windows had a golden glow in the late afternoon.

  2. nounsingular

    A warm, healthy look on skin, often from sun or good health.

    Grammar: Usually describes a person: she had a golden glow after the holiday.

    Patterns

    • a golden glow to something

    She returned from the beach with a golden glow.

    The cream gave her skin a golden glow.

    He had a golden glow after a week of walking outdoors.

  3. nounsingularfigurativeliterary

    A pleasant, warm feeling or the rosy way a happy past time is remembered.

    Grammar: Used figuratively with words like memory or nostalgia.

    Patterns

    • a golden glow of nostalgia

    Looking back, the summer seemed bathed in a golden glow.

    Their childhood had a golden glow in her memory.

Word forms

pluralgolden glows

Common combinations

cast a golden glow
The streetlamps cast a golden glow on the wet road.
bathed in a golden glow
The village was bathed in a golden glow at dusk.
a soft golden glow
A soft golden glow came from the candles.
a golden glow on the horizon
A golden glow appeared on the horizon before sunrise.
the golden glow of memory
The golden glow of memory made the old house seem perfect.

Synonyms and how they differ

radiance
This is a more formal word for bright shining, and unlike golden glow it does not say the color.
warm light
This is plain and neutral, whereas golden glow is more poetic and picture-like.
halo
This is a ring of light around something, whereas golden glow is a general wash of light.
sheen
This is a soft shine on a surface, while golden glow is light that fills a space.

Opposites

darknessgloom

Word family

glow noun
a soft steady light
glow verb
to give out a soft steady light
glowing adjective
giving out a warm light, or very positive
golden adjective
having the color or shine of gold

Commonly confused: golden glow or golden hour?

golden glow vs golden hour

The golden hour is the time just after sunrise or before sunset when the light is warm, while a golden glow is the light itself.

Practice

As evening came, the lanterns gave the whole courtyard a soft ____ that made everyone feel relaxed.

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