Meanings
proper noun
- natural sciencesThe observation that, out of the great range of all possible conditions on Earth, the actual conditions are all “just right” in order to support life.
Origin
Referring to the girl in the fairy tale who found one bowl of porridge too hot, one too cold, and one just right.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
Goldilocks principle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Goldilocks%20principle
MLA
“Goldilocks principle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Goldilocks%20principle. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Goldilocks principle,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Goldilocks%20principle.
Source: Goldilocks principle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.