# golden mean

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/golden-mean
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A position of balance between excess and deficiency.

## Examples

- She tries to find the golden mean between work and rest.
- The manager sought the golden mean, giving clear direction without micromanaging her team.
- In his philosophy, virtue was not an extreme but the golden mean — courage lay between recklessness and cowardice.

## Origin

Calque of Latin aurea mediocritās.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.