golden fleece: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Low FrequencyFormal, Literary, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “golden fleece” mean?
A prize or goal of great value that is extremely difficult to obtain, often requiring a long and arduous journey or quest.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A prize or goal of great value that is extremely difficult to obtain, often requiring a long and arduous journey or quest.
Any highly sought-after but elusive prize, award, or object of desire, particularly in business or politics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. Slightly higher cultural recognition in British English due to classical education traditions.
Connotations
Identical core connotations of a difficult, valuable prize.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, found in similar formal/literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “golden fleece” in a Sentence
[subject] seeks/obtains/wins the golden fleece of [abstract goal]The [concrete object] is the golden fleece of [field/industry]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “golden fleece” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a major contract, market position, or acquisition that competitors desperately want. 'The exclusive distribution deal was the industry's golden fleece.'
Academic
Used in literature, history, or cultural studies to discuss the myth of Jason and the Argonauts or as a metaphor in critical analysis.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation. Might appear in journalism or ambitious personal contexts. 'For him, owning that vintage car was a personal golden fleece.'
Technical
Not used in technical fields like engineering or IT.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “golden fleece”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “golden fleece”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “golden fleece”
- Using it as a plural (*golden fleeces).
- Using it to describe a person (*He is a golden fleece).
- Misspelling as 'golden fleas'.
- Overusing the term in informal contexts where 'big goal' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Only when referring specifically to the mythological fleece from the tale of Jason and the Argonauts. In its figurative sense, it is not capitalised.
No, it is not used to describe a person. It refers exclusively to an object, goal, or prize.
They are near synonyms. 'Holy grail' is more common in modern usage and can refer to an ideal or discovery as well as a physical object. 'Golden fleece' is more literary and retains a stronger connection to the idea of a perilous, epic quest.
Yes, in its figurative sense, it can take the indefinite article (e.g., 'He saw it as a golden fleece'). When referring to the specific mythological object, it is typically 'the Golden Fleece'.
A prize or goal of great value that is extremely difficult to obtain, often requiring a long and arduous journey or quest.
Golden fleece is usually formal, literary, figurative in register.
Golden fleece: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡəʊl.dən ˈfliːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡoʊl.dən ˈfliːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a quest for the golden fleece”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a coat made of GOLD. To get it, you must FLEE across seas on a difficult quest. Golden + Fleece = a golden prize you must flee/quest to obtain.
Conceptual Metaphor
A VALUABLE OBJECT IS A RARE FLEECE / A DIFFICULT QUEST IS A MYTHICAL VOYAGE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'golden fleece' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?