What does gild mean?
Gild is a verb meaning to cover an object with a thin layer of gold, typically gold leaf, or to give it a golden surface. Its literal use belongs to crafts, decorative art, and architecture, where a frame, sculpture, or manuscript may be treated with gold. Figuratively, gild means to embellish or make something look more impressive. The verb often carries a critical edge: to gild something is to add flattering or deceptive ornament to material already attractive, or to conceal what is plain or unattractive. Because the expression 'gild the lily' is familiar, the word can suggest excessive enhancement rather than simply skillful decoration. Gild is less common in everyday speech than more neutral words such as cover or decorate, and its figurative uses are literary and somewhat old-fashioned. The related words gilded, gilding, and gilder describe the result, the process or material, and the worker respectively. The word is worth knowing because it joins a precise craft term with a vivid figurative warning about embellishment.
verbTo cover an object with a thin layer of gold, especially gold leaf; figuratively, to embellish something already attractive or give it an artificially impressive appearance.
- To cover an object with a thin layer of gold, especially gold leaf.
- To give an object a golden surface or appearance by applying a gold-colored coating.
- To embellish or adorn something, especially with excessive or deceptive flourish.
"The artisans used gold leaf to gild the carved frame."
"The restorers used gold leaf to gild the carved frame."
"The committee had already done enough, and its extra proposals only helped to gild the lily."
The phrase 'gild the lily' means to spoil something beautiful with extra ornament—and echoes Shakespeare's warning against 'painting the lily.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gild come from?
The word comes from Old English gildan, meaning 'to cover with gold,' and ultimately from Proto-Germanic *gildaną. Its root is traditionally associated with the source of English gold, although the precise prehistoric relationship is not entirely certain. Dutch gilden and Swedish gildra are clear cognates.
Related word forms
How gild is actually used
The verb is literary and somewhat old-fashioned, especially in figurative use. Its figurative applications often imply excessive, misleading, or otherwise unwarranted embellishment. The related adjective gilded is much more common in modern usage.
Easily confused with gild
Gild is the verb meaning to cover something with gold, whereas gilt most commonly names the thin layer of gold itself or means covered with gold.
Gild means to apply gold to an object, while a guild is an organized association of workers or other members.