What does "gilt" mean?
Gold or other metal in a thin layer; gilding.
Gilt
/ɡɪlt/ adj, noun, verb, slang
adj, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Gold or other metal in a thin layer; gilding.
- Grammar: gilt is listed as adj, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: acting, affectation, appearance, attitudinizing.
- Useful contrasts: adult sow, silvern, bare metal.
- Usage evidence: I can't decide whether to invest in a corporate bond or a gilt.
How to use "gilt"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "gilt" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "gilt" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "gilt" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "gilt" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "gilt" is acting as adj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acting" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "gilt", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Gold or other metal in a thin layer; gilding. uncountable, usually
- 2 A young female pig, at or nearing the age of first breeding. UK, regional
- 3 Acronym of globalization, internationalization, localization, and translation abbreviation, acronym, alt-of, uncountable
"Whether you’re an experienced GILT professional, an internationalization or Unicode enthusiast, just starting out, or a student, the UTW 2024 sessions will enrich your understanding of key issues!"
- 4 a coating of gold or of something that looks like gold wordnet
- 5 Gold or other metal in a thin layer; gilding.; Gold-colored paint or other coating. broadly, uncountable, usually
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 Money. slang, uncountable, usually
"three corrupted men […] Have, for the gilt of France,—O guilt indeed!— Confirm'd conspiracy with fearful France"
- 7 A security (usually a bond) issued by the Bank of England (see gilt-edged). UK, countable, usually
"higher gilt yields"
- 8 A gilded object, an object covered with gold. obsolete, uncountable, usually
"The parysh of Seint Powle in Norwiche. Thomas Blocke, George Wylson, Churchwardens. Have sold in plate, gylte and parcell gylte, to the summe of iiij ownce, every ownce at the price of iiijs. viijd."
Verb
- 1 simple past and past participle of gild form-of, participle, past
"The sun was rising; it gilt the hill tops and gradually threw its lustre over the dark pine forests on the mountain slopes."
Adjective
- 1 Golden coloured; gilded.
"The Jones man was looking at her hard. Now he reached into the hatch of his vest and fetched out a couple of cigars, everlasting big ones, with gilt bands on them."
Adjective
- 1 having the deep slightly brownish color of gold wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"I can't decide whether to invest in a corporate bond or a gilt."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "gilt"?
Common synonyms include: acting, affectation, appearance, attitudinizing, aureate, aureate.
How do you use "gilt" in a sentence?
I can't decide whether to invest in a corporate bond or a gilt.
How do you pronounce "gilt"?
Pronounced /ɡɪlt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Formed in English from the verb gild (“to cover in gold”). Compare gold and German Geld.
Etymology 2
From Middle English gilt, gylt, from Old Norse gyltr; compare geld and yelt.