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 yield on the U.K. 10-year gilt, or government bond, topped 5% in May for its highest level since 2008, and the 30-year yield neared a 21st century record of just under 5.9%.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

The benchmark 10-year gilt yield rose to 5.1% on Tuesday, its highest level since 2008.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Ten-year gilt yields jump to 5.135%, the highest level since 2008, Tradeweb data show.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

To cover that gap, they borrow money from investors and issue something called a bond or gilt, which is a loan the government promises to pay back at the end of an agreed time.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

This shop was a great hall and the ceiling was set about with gilt and upon the walls there were scrolls hung made of white silk and painted with the figures of women.

From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck

Related Words

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