GOLD vs GOLDEN

I used to think that GOLD meant « made of gold » whereas GOLDEN meant color.

But then I came across « gold paint », « gold and silver paper » and « she was wearing a gold Lurex top »

Now I’m confused, could someone explain the difference ?

Question

GOLD vs GOLDEN

I used to think that GOLD meant « made of gold » whereas GOLDEN meant color.

But then I came across « gold paint », « gold and silver paper » and « she was wearing a gold Lurex top »

Now I’m confused, could someone explain the difference ?

Answer

"Gold" can be a noun that means the metallic substance itself or a noun that means the color gold. It can also be an adjective that describes something made of the substance or that has the color.

"Golden" is only an adjective. It can have either of the same literal meanings that "gold" has when it's an adjective, or it can also have various idiomatic meanings like special, popular, safe from harm, well-positioned, likely to succeed, etc.