Pronunciation: [ɡˈɪlt] (IPA) 
The word "gilt" is spelled with four letters, and is phonetically transcribed as /ɡɪlt/. The "g" is pronounced with a hard "g" sound, while the "i" is pronounced with a short "i" sound (like "ih"). Finally, the "l" and "t" sounds are pronounced distinctly at the end of the word. "Gilt" can be used as a verb meaning to cover with gold, or as an adjective meaning covered with a thin layer of gold.
Gilt is a word with multiple meanings and can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective. As a noun, gilt refers to gold plating or gold leaf that is applied to a surface, often for decorative purposes. It is a thin layer of gold that can provide an attractive, lustrous appearance to objects such as frames, sculptures, or furniture.
As a verb, gilt is the past tense of gild, which means to cover or coat something with a layer of gold. It is a process that involves applying a thin layer of gold to a surface using techniques like gold leafing, electroplating, or chemical gilding.
Gilt can also be used as an adjective to describe something that has the appearance of being made of gold or covered in gold. It can refer to objects or surfaces that are adorned with gold-colored paint or an imitation of gold, giving them a glossy, golden sheen.
In a broader sense, gilt can be used metaphorically to describe something that is showy or ostentatious in an appealing way, but lacking depth or substance. For instance, a gilt-edged invitation might suggest something formal, extravagant, or ornamental, without necessarily implying a true quality or value beyond its appearance.
Overall, gilt refers to the process, appearance, or concept of adorning or covering something with a thin layer of gold, either literally or figuratively, to enhance its beauty, value, or visual impact.
• Overlaid with gold-leaf.
• Gold laid on the surface of a thing.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "gilt" has an interesting etymology. It originated from the Middle English word "gylt", which in turn came from the Old English word "gyldan", meaning "to gild". "Gyldan" ultimately derives from the Proto-Germanic word "*gulthjaną", which meant "to gild" or "to make golden". This Proto-Germanic root has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Old High German "gulden" and Old Norse "gulda", both meaning "to gild".
The word "gilt" refers to something that has been gilded, meaning it has been covered with a thin layer of gold or a gold-like substance.
