What does gilt mean?
Gilt most often describes an object covered or ornamented with gold, particularly a thin layer of gold applied over another metal to create a bright, decorative finish. It has a formal or literary tone and conveys luxury, refinement, and ornamentation. As a noun, gilt can refer to the gold coating itself or, less commonly and more traditionally, to gold or money. Gilt is also the past tense and past participle of gild, meaning to cover something with gold, although gilded is usually preferred in present-day writing. In finance, the word appears in established terms concerning government securities backed by gold. The word is related to gold, golden, and gild, and it neatly distinguishes a precious surface from the precious metal beneath it. Its varied uses make it useful in discussions of art, history, heraldry, language, and finance.
Covered or decorated with gold, especially with a thin layer of gold over another metal.
"The gilt frame gleamed warmly in the candlelight."
Formal and literary; often used of decorative objects, fittings, and ornaments.
A thin coating or layer of gold; gilding. In literary or historical contexts, it can also mean gold or money.
"The museum conservators examined the gilt covering on the ancient chest."
The coating and money senses are usually uncountable; plural gilts is uncommon.
The past tense and past participle of gild: to cover or decorate with gold.
"The artist gilt the wooden frame with a thin layer of gold leaf."
Gilded is more common than gilt in modern English, though gilt remains established in formal and historical writing.
The plural is possible but uncommon; gilt as a gold coating or as money is usually uncountable.
"The collection included several small decorative gilts."
Gilt is where gold becomes more than metal: it becomes a surface, a decoration, and even a promise of money.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gilt come from?
The adjective and noun forms developed in Middle English from Old English words related to gold, including gylden, meaning “golden.” The verb gild comes from Old English gildan, “to cover with gold or gild,” and belongs to the same Germanic etymological family as gold and golden. Modern gilded and gilding continue this tradition, while the form gilt survives especially as a participle and in the noun meaning a gold coating.
Related word forms
How gilt is actually used
The adjective is formal and literary, often suggesting a decorative or luxurious surface. The noun meaning money or gold is especially dated or literary, while the financial use of gilt generally appears in expressions such as gilt-edged securities. The verb form gilt is the past tense and past participle of gild, though gilded is more common in modern usage.
Easily confused with gilt
Gilt refers to gold decoration or a gold coating, whereas a guild is an association or society of people sharing a trade or profession.