golden years

plural noun

Definition of golden yearsnext
as in elderliness

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of golden years These decades-later experiments have been particularly frequent in the past 40 years, as actors have become less likely to retire (or stay retired) and more likely to keep searching for plum parts well into their golden years. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026 On the one hand, older adults are encouraged to remain active, productive, healthy and engaged well into their golden years. — Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, Fortune, 31 May 2026 But building up your retirement funds is just one item to consider when preparing for your golden years. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 11 May 2026 Ultimately, Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith both quit for these reasons during the band’s golden years. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for golden years

Browse Nearby Words

golden means
golden years
gold mine
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Golden years.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/golden%20years. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All