gelt

noun

ˈgelt 

1

informal : money

Guilt turns to gelt as Stephanie's wealthy parents … welcome their disowned daughter back with open arms and open coffers.

—TV Guide

2

: chocolate candy in the shape of coins often given to Jewish children at Hanukkah

Lila thought of Sarah's party—how everyone got bags of Hanukkah gelt, chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil.

—Rosellen Brown

Examples of gelt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That's when other customs Americans typically associate with the holiday—such as gifts, parties, and gold coins known as gelt—came to life. —Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 14 Dec. 2025

Enjoy a community candle lighting event featuring doughnuts, dreidels, music, latkes, gelt, balloons and more. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025

There will be train rides, latkes, doughnuts, a giant menorah lighting, gelt, dreidels, craft activities and festive music. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025

Hanukkah party with latkes, donuts, crafts, gelt, gaga ball, music, PJ Library and the dreidel den. —Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Dutch & German geld & Yiddish gelt; all akin to Old English geld geld entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1