- present participle of gild.
noun
-
the act or art of applying gilt to a surface
-
the surface so produced
-
another word for gilt 1
Etymology
Origin of gilding
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at gild 1, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He was meticulous in ordering well-made clothes, and a “chariot” with some gilding wouldn’t be too excessive, he thought.
From Slate ● Feb. 16, 2026
They were then sent for gilding and upholstery, before Mr Desnoues added designs and a wood finish.
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2025
Accentuating the glass wrinkles with gilding serves to sanctify the century-old depot structure.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2024
It's not just the tutoring and the violin lessons and right resume gilding internship.
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2023
As the sun was gilding the distant spires of Dragonstone, Dany stumbled onto a low stone wall, overgrown and broken.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.