Showing results for "gilt"

• past tense form of gild.
• past participle of gild.

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

ING foreign exchange strategist Francesco Pesole said markets have recently been assured that Burnham won’t upset the gilt market with his fiscal plans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

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

Ten-year gilt yields fall 4.6 basis points to last trade at 5.075%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

That same day, UK 10-year gilt yield – a measure of the effective interest rate on a 10-year loan to government – fell back, something attributed to Burnham's attempt to calm markets.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

It was made of granite for strength and massiveness, but like so many other things in Iofur’s palace, it was decorated with overelaborate swags and festoons of gilt that looked like tinsel on a mountainside.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

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