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Glite Dictionary
golden age

golden age

26 4.1
A time when a country, the arts, or a person has great success
  • noun
  • /ˈɡoʊldən eɪdʒ/
translation icon : edad de oro
  • So we're now in a golden age of vaccines.
  • end of the golden age
  • golden age of history

Well, that or that that's the golden age to which we must return.

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Examples

  • But this began the golden age of Egyptian archaeology, tourism, and the growth of the modern state.

    Academic text (2011)

  • I think right now we're in a golden age of stand up comedy quality.

    Triggernometry

  • And I hope that this is the golden age once again of America.

    FLAGRANT

  • Yet India cannot take its golden age of growth for granted.

    Academic text (2006)

  • However, we're entering now a new golden age of space exploration.

  • Thus, the music of the golden age was produced in the context of the struggle for independence.

    Academic text (2004)

  • The ending clearly suggests a golden age of peace and prosperity for the whole of society.

    Academic text (1991)

  • And it made me realize that, like, the obvious, which is that we're in the golden age of podcasting right now.

  • Incidentally, we happen to be in something of a golden age economically.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The 21st century began with the promise of a new golden age of science.

Synonyms

heyday
vsgolden age
31 5.8

A time when someone or something is most successful

is broader, used for wide cultural or historical prosperity rather than just peak popularity

Antonyms

decline
439 3.9

A gradual loss in amount, quality, or value

Dark Ages
21 7.5

A time in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire when people had less learning and trade

How Successful

heyday
31 5.8
golden age
26 4.1
high point
30 3.3

Surface Forms

golden age singular
golden ages plural

Morphology

golden + age

The meaning 'a period of great success or prosperity' is directly and predictably built from 'golden' (figuratively excellent/valuable) + 'age' (a period of time). The metaphorical use of 'golden' to mean excellent is common across languages and contexts, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Golden age comes from old stories that describe a first time when people lived in peace and had everything they needed, so that time was called golden. That's why today golden age means 'a period of great success, achievement, or prosperity'.