Gild - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To gild means to cover something with a thin layer of gold or a gold-like material, often to enhance its appearance. It can also mean to make something seem more attractive or impressive than it really is.
Definition:
To cover thinly with gold or a gold-like substance; to make something appear more attractive than it is.
Synonyms:
adorn, embellish, decorate, enhance
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
tarnish, strip
Common Collocations:
gild the lily, gilded frame, gilded youth
Derivatives:
gilder, gilding
Usage Tips:
Use "gild" literally for applying gold or figuratively to describe over-embellishment. Avoid redundancy like "gild the lily."
Common Phrases:
gild the lily, gilded cage, gilded age
Etymology:
From Old English "gyldan," meaning to cover with gold; related to "gold."
Examples:
- 1. She decided to gild the edges of the picture frame for a luxurious look.
- 2. Artists often gild statues to make them shine in sunlight.
- 3. Don’t gild your speech—just say what you mean plainly.
- 4. The book’s cover was gilded to attract collectors.