gelt

noun

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web There’ll be a fire show, music, activities for kids, and latkes, doughnuts and gelt. Dallas News, 15 Dec. 2022 Children will receive gift bags for each evening as well as chocolate Hanukkah gelt for everyone. Kye Graves, The Arizona Republic, 18 Dec. 2022 Some customs practiced are: preparing potato pancakes in oil, playing the game of dreidel, and giving children money (coins) called Hanakkah gelt. The Rev. Ellin Dize, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 19 Dec. 2020 The game is usually played for a pot of coins, nuts, gelt or other stuff, which is won or lost based on which letter the dreidel lands when it is spun. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2021 The winner of the game often receives a Hanukkah gelt. Justin Klawans, The Week, 18 Dec. 2022 There will be music by cantor Yudi Cohen, children’s crafts, a bounce house, dreidels, gelt and treats such as doughnuts and latkes. Dallas News, 17 Nov. 2022 The celebration includes the lighting of a giant Menorah, a gelt and gift drop, a live DJ, complementary warm drinks and fresh fried doughnuts, and more, including a free concert by Israeli singer Gad Elbaz. Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2022 Revelers can also spin dreidel and play Connect 4 with Hanukkah gelt. Samantha Nelson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gelt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gelt was circa 1529

Dictionary Entries Near gelt

Cite this Entry

“Gelt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gelt. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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