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Synonyms

hilt

American  
[hilt] / hɪlt /

noun

  1. the handle of a sword or dagger.

  2. the handle of any weapon or tool.

verb (used with object)

  1. to furnish with a hilt.

idioms

  1. to the hilt, to the maximum extent or degree; completely; fully Also up to the hilt.

    to play the role to the hilt.
hilt British  
/ hɪlt /

noun

  1. the handle or shaft of a sword, dagger, etc

  2. to the full

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to supply with a hilt

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
hilt More Idioms  

  1. see to the hilt.

Etymology

Origin of hilt

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English hilt(e); cognate with Middle Dutch hilt(e), Old Norse hjalt, Old High German helza “handle of a sword”

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.

A harpoon gun from "Jaws," a jacket worn by "The Terminator," and a "Star Wars" lightsaber hilt and C-3PO head are among the eye-catching items to be sold at auction next month.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Suzy Spilling and her husband Colin invested in four rental properties to fund their retirement - including two flats in Salford "mortgaged to the hilt".

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2025

Still, he was a perfect match for Yang, who played Santos to the hilt in various appearances on Weekend Update and in opening sketches.

From New York Times • May 20, 2024

The larger-than-life painting by artist Jonathan Yeo captures the king with his hands clasped atop the hilt of his sword and a butterfly flitting above his right shoulder.

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2024

Her hand closed around the hilt and pulled it free from the bedding.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

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.