gilt

¹ American  

[gilt] / gɪlt /

verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of gild.

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adjective

1. gilded.

2. gold in color; golden.

noun

1. the thin layer of gold or other material applied in gilding.

2. gilt-edged security.

gilt ² American  

[gilt] / gɪlt /

noun

1. a young female swine, especially one that has not produced a litter.

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gilt ¹ British  

/ ɡɪlt /

verb

1. a past tense and past participle of gild 1

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noun

1. gold or a substance simulating it, applied in gilding

2. another word for gilding gilding

3. superficial or false appearance of excellence; glamour

4. a gilt-edged security

5. to destroy the part of something that gives it its appeal

adjective

1. covered with or as if with gold or gilt; gilded

gilt ² British  

/ ɡɪlt /

noun

1. a young female pig, esp one that has not had a litter

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Etymology

Origin of gilt¹

First recorded in 1300–50, for the adjective

Origin of gilt²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gilte, Old Norse gylta

Explanation

All those gold framed pictures you see hanging in museums? They're covered in gilt — a very thin layer of gold leaf, like paper, applied to the surface. A common term associated with gilt is gilt-edged, implying something known to be reliably wealthy. Anything can be gilt-edged: a person, a town, or a reputation. The term comes from a form of government-issued bond, known as a gilt, which was originally gilded around the edges. Don't confuse gilt with guilt, which sounds the same but means a sense of knowing you've done something wrong. (Though, if you've stolen a gilt, does that make you gilty?)

Example Sentences

The five-year gilt rate was down the equivalent of a quarter per cent rate cut.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The yield on the U.K. 10-year gilt rose to its highest level since 2008.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

The move higher in gilt yields also came after data on Friday showed a larger-than-expected budget deficit in February of £14.3 billion.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

Upcoming U.K. government-bond auctions will be watched closely given the recent jump in gilt yields.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Each story was preceded by a detailed illustration, hand-painted in royal blue and crimson, silver and gilt.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo

Related Words

• gaudy
• gleaming
• glittering
• golden
• lustrous
• painted
• sparkling