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Meaning & use

golden hour

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈɡəʊldən ˈaʊə/
US/ˈɡoʊldən ˈaʊər/

Meanings

  1. nounsingular

    The period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when sunlight is soft, warm and low, giving flattering light for photographs.

    Grammar: Used with 'the' or 'a': we shot during the golden hour.

    Patterns

    • during the golden hour
    • at golden hour

    The photographer waited for the golden hour to take the wedding portraits.

    The beach looks magical at golden hour, with long shadows and orange light.

    We climbed the hill so we could watch the golden hour from the top.

  2. nounsingularmedical

    The first hour after a serious injury, when quick medical treatment gives the patient the best chance of survival.

    Grammar: Used with 'the': treatment within the golden hour.

    Patterns

    • within the golden hour

    Paramedics aim to reach trauma patients within the golden hour.

    Doctors say the golden hour after a stroke is critical for recovery.

    Fast transport by helicopter can save lives in the golden hour.

Word forms

pluralgolden hours

Common combinations

during the golden hour
Most landscape photos are taken during the golden hour.
golden hour light
Golden hour light makes skin look warm and soft.
shoot at golden hour
We plan to shoot at golden hour tomorrow.
catch the golden hour
Let's hurry so we catch the golden hour.
within the golden hour
Patients treated within the golden hour often recover better.

Synonyms and how they differ

magic hour
Nearly identical in photography and film, though it is more common in movie-making language.
dusk
Refers only to the time just after sunset, and not specifically to the quality of light.
twilight
Describes the dim light after sunset and is usually darker than golden hour.

Opposites

midday glare

Word family

golden adjective
having the color or value of gold
hour noun
sixty minutes
blue hour noun
the deep blue light just before sunrise or after sunset

Commonly confused: golden hour or happy hour?

golden hour vs happy hour

Happy hour is a time when a bar sells drinks at reduced prices, and has nothing to do with light or medicine.

Practice

Why do many photographers like the golden hour?

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