Phrase guide

golden handshake

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A generous severance payment, especially as an inducement to leave employment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: silver handshake

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a lucrative severance agreement offered to an employee (usually as an incentive to retire)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: severance agreement

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: kultainen kädenpuristus — generous severance payment
  • French: gratification de fin de service — generous severance payment
  • French: indemnité de départ — generous severance payment
  • French: prime de départ — generous severance payment
  • German: goldener Handschlag — generous severance payment
  • Italian: buonuscita — generous severance payment
  • Polish: odprawa — generous severance payment
  • Romanian: contract verbal — generous severance payment