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

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The 10-year gilt is the benchmark for government bonds, while the two and five-year gilts have an influence on fixed-rate mortgage rates of the same time frame.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Two-year gilt yields rise 7.8 basis points to 4.544%, having hit a near seven-week high of 4.595%, 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

The King was not made of gold, but of soft lead, covered with gilt paint.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Related Words

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