adj
gilt
gihlt
Gilt (adj) means Covered with a thin layer of gold or gold-coloured material. Example: “The picture frame was gilt around every edge.”
adj
1
Covered with a thin layer of gold or gold-coloured material.
"The picture frame was gilt around every edge."
"She bought a gilt mirror for the hallway."
noun
1
A thin coating of gold, or the gold-coloured finish itself.
"Years of handling had worn the gilt off the old book cover."
2
A UK government bond, so called because early certificates had gilt edges.
"Investors moved money into gilts when the stock market turned volatile."
3
A young female pig that has not yet had a litter.
"The farmer kept two gilts back for breeding next season."
How to use gilt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGold-coated (for objects), or a type of safe government bond (in finance), or a young female pig (in farming) — three unrelated meanings sharing one word.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "guilt" (a feeling of having done wrong) — they sound identical but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
gilt frame
gilt-edged
government gilts
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Word forms
- Plural
- gilts
- Comparative
- more gilt
- Superlative
- most gilt
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The picture frame was _____ around every edge.
Etymology
The past form of the old verb "to gild" (cover with gold) — so something "gilt" is literally something that has been gilded.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for gilt
See all rhymes for gilt →Frequently asked questions
What does “gilt” mean?
The word “gilt” means covered with a thin layer of gold or gold-coloured material. In plain terms, gold-coated (for objects), or a type of safe government bond (in finance), or a young female pig (in farming) — three unrelated meanings sharing one word.
How do you pronounce “gilt”?
“Gilt” is pronounced gihlt (/ɡɪlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “gilt” in a sentence?
Here is “gilt” used in a sentence: “The picture frame was gilt around every edge.”
What part of speech is “gilt”?
Depending on how it is used, “gilt” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “gilt” have?
“Gilt” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: covered with a thin layer of gold or gold-coloured material.
