adj
gilt
gihlt
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
Word Forms
more gilt comparative, gilts plural, gilts plural, most gilt superlative
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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.