adjective
Uncommon
gilded
GIHL-dihd
Gilded (adjective) means Covered with a thin layer of gold, or having the appearance of gold. Example: “The museum displayed a gilded picture frame from the 1800s.”
adjective
1
Covered with a thin layer of gold, or having the appearance of gold.
"There wasn't a room that had not been clad, picture-railed, dadoed, panelled, stained, gilded, bordered and generally made over to within an inch of its life - can I interest anyone in a gold cherubic sconce?"
— Michele Jenkinson, West Country Living: My blind date with my new home (2000)
"The museum displayed a gilded picture frame from the 1800s."
2
Looking impressive or luxurious on the surface while hiding problems underneath.
"Behind the gilded lifestyle was a family drowning in debt."
How to use gilded
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCovered in gold, or more figuratively, dazzling on the surface but possibly hollow underneath.
Common pairings
gilded frame
gilded age
gilded cage
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more gilded
- Superlative
- most gilded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum displayed a _____ picture frame from the 1800s.
Etymology
From the verb "gild" (to cover with gold) plus -ed.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “gilded” mean?
The word “gilded” means covered with a thin layer of gold, or having the appearance of gold. In plain terms, covered in gold, or more figuratively, dazzling on the surface but possibly hollow underneath.
How do you pronounce “gilded”?
“Gilded” is pronounced GIHL-dihd (/ˈɡɪldɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “gilded” in a sentence?
Here is “gilded” used in a sentence: “The museum displayed a gilded picture frame from the 1800s.”
What part of speech is “gilded”?
“Gilded” is an adjective.
Is “gilded” a common word?
“Gilded” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gilded” have?
“Gilded” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: covered with a thin layer of gold, or having the appearance of gold.
