golden number: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Historical
Quick answer
What does “golden number” mean?
A number representing a particular year's position in the Metonic cycle of 19 years, used in calculating the date of Easter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A number representing a particular year's position in the Metonic cycle of 19 years, used in calculating the date of Easter.
In broader contexts, can refer to any important, significant, or ideal numerical value (e.g., a perfect ratio or critical statistic).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; the term is equally rare and technical in both varieties.
Connotations
In the UK, it may have slightly stronger historical/ecclesiastical connotations due to the Church of England. In the US, the extended metaphorical sense might be marginally more likely in business/popular science contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “golden number” in a Sentence
The golden number [is/equals] XTo calculate/find the golden numberVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “golden number” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system does not 'golden number' anything; it is strictly a noun.
American English
- You cannot golden number a date; it's a calculated value.
adverb
British English
- It is not used adverbially.
American English
- No adverbial usage exists.
adjective
British English
- The golden-number calculation is complex.
- He studied golden-number tables.
American English
- The golden-number system is ancient.
- She explained the golden-number method.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially used metaphorically for a 'magic' target number (e.g., 'Our golden number for quarterly sales is 5% growth').
Academic
Used in historical studies, theology, and mathematics related to calendar computation.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in precise contexts of ecclesiastical calendar creation and historical chronology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “golden number”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “golden number”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “golden number”
- Using it to mean 'lucky number'. Confusing it with the 'golden ratio' (phi).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different concepts. The golden number relates to a 19-year lunar cycle for Easter calculation. The golden ratio (phi, ~1.618) is a mathematical constant found in geometry and art.
Its calculation is embedded in the algorithms of modern computers and calendars for determining Easter, but very few people manually calculate it anymore. It remains a key concept in historical and liturgical studies.
Only in a very loose, metaphorical sense to mean a critical target figure (e.g., '10 million users is our golden number'). This usage is not standard and should be clarified to avoid confusion with the technical term.
The etymology is uncertain. It may be because the numbers were often printed in red (a colour associated with gold and importance) in early calendars, or because the cycle was considered valuable ('golden') for timekeeping.
A number representing a particular year's position in the Metonic cycle of 19 years, used in calculating the date of Easter.
Golden number is usually technical/historical in register.
Golden number: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡəʊl.dən ˈnʌm.bər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡoʊl.dən ˈnʌm.bər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GOLDEN rule for Easter dates, NUMBERed 1-19 in a lunar cycle.
Conceptual Metaphor
NUMERICAL SIGNIFICANCE IS VALUE (gold = valuable).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary use of the 'golden number'?