goldilocks

[ gohl-dee-loks ]

noun,plural gold·i·locks.
  1. (used with a singular verb) a person with golden hair.

adjective
  1. (usually initial capital letter) not being extreme or not varying drastically between extremes, especially between hot and cold: a Goldilocks economy that is neither overheated nor too cold to cause a recession;a goldilocks planet such as Earth.: See also Goldilocks zone.

Origin of goldilocks

1
1540–50; obsolete goldy golden + lock2 + -s3; from the fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in which the golden-haired Goldilocks rejects uncomfortable extremes, as porridge that is too hot or too cold

Words Nearby goldilocks

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use goldilocks in a sentence

  • This year, the theme was "Just Right," inspired loosely on the story of goldilocks.

    Live From Art Basel | Isabel Wilkinson | December 4, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • goldilocks wasn't there yet but the porridge was on the table in a big, a medium, and a tiny bowl.

    Jerry's Charge Account | Hazel Hutchins Wilson
  • “It is pleasant to see any thing smile, even a flower,” said goldilocks, laughing as she spoke.

    Fairy Book | Sophie May
  • Ko-Ko and goldilocks and Cinderella were coming out of the hall from the bedroom; he gathered them up and put them on the table.

    Little Fuzzy | Henry Beam Piper
  • The Fuzzies were rising, sliding their chopper-diggers under the body of goldilocks and lifting it on the steel shafts.

    Little Fuzzy | Henry Beam Piper
  • He sat down and took goldilocks on his lap; immediately Cinderella jumped up, also.

    Little Fuzzy | Henry Beam Piper

British Dictionary definitions for goldilocks

goldilocks

/ (ˈɡəʊldɪˌlɒks) /


noun(functioning as singular)
  1. a Eurasian plant, Aster linosyris (or Linosyris vulgaris), with clusters of small yellow flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

  2. a Eurasian ranunculaceous woodland plant, Ranunculus auricomus, with yellow flowers: See also buttercup

  1. (sometimes capital) a person, esp a girl, with light blond hair

  2. (modifier; sometimes capital) not prone to extremes of temperature, volatility, etc: a goldilocks planet; a goldilocks economy

Origin of goldilocks

1
(for sense 4): C20: from the fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in which the heroine prefers the porridge that is neither too hot nor too cold

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012