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

Examples of gelt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Sunday, the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Newport Beach hosted an afternoon of fun and games, with a chocolate gelt drop from a firetruck ladder, activities for children, treats for all and a concert. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Dec. 2025 Golda or Goldie - Many families celebrate Hanukkah with gelt, chocolate coins covered in golden foil. Kara Nesvig, Parents, 19 Dec. 2025 Each letter on the dreidel instructs a player to add gelt to the pot, take from the pot, or do nothing. Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 18 Dec. 2025 Highlights include the lighting of a giant 16-foot menorah, doughnuts, latkes and hot cocoa along with a live DJ, gelt drop and a LED and fire show. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gelt

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

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Cite this Entry

“Gelt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gelt. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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