gild

1 of 3

verb

ˈgild 

gilded ˈgil-dəd  or gilt ˈgilt  ; gilding

transitive verb

1

: to overlay with or as if with a thin covering of gold

2

a

: to give money to

b

: to give an attractive but often deceptive appearance to

was hired to gild the company's image

c

archaic : to make bloody

gilder noun

see also:

gild the lily

gild

2 of 3

noun (1)

less common spelling of guild

1

: an association of people with similar interests or pursuits

especially : a medieval association of merchants or craftsmen

2

: a group of organisms that use the same ecological resource in a similar way

a feeding guild

guild

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈgild 

variants or less commonly gild

1

: an association of people with similar interests or pursuits

especially : a medieval association of merchants or craftsmen

2

: a group of organisms that use the same ecological resource in a similar way

a feeding guild

guildship

ˈgil(d)-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms of gild

Noun (2)

• organization
• association
• institution
• society
• institute
• fraternity
• chamber
• brotherhood

Examples of gild in a Sentence

Noun (2)

after his apprenticeship, he was able to join the stonemasons' guild

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But while her Nicholas Oakwell Couture gilded gown certainly evoked the power of the film’s character, Nyong’o’s clutch also paid homage to the Christopher Nolan adaptation. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 July 2026

For a president enamored with the gilded and the grand, the exterior of this fair is surprisingly austere. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026

Noun

Wario’s gilds the hoagie roll with tomato butter and a ginger-soy drizzle. — Jed Portman, Midwest Living, 25 May 2026

Damaged gilds the lily, casting-wise, with John Hannah, delivering sterling supporting work as a chief suspect whose alibi would seem to clear him. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024

Noun

But the guild is seeking to align the timing of its motion to Martínez-Olguín’s schedule for the state AG case, with its hearing also on August 3. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 July 2026

At the time, the English actor was trying to get her Equity card—membership into the UK actors’ guild. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English gyldan; akin to Old English gold gold

Noun (2)

Middle English gilde, from Old Norse gildi payment, guild; akin to Old English gield tribute, guild — more at geld

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gild

• gild the lily

Rhymes for gild

• billed
• build
• chilled
• drilled
• filled
• frilled
• grilled
• guild
• killed
• milled
• rilled
• shrilled

Kids Definition

gild

1 of 2 verb

ˈgild 

gilded ˈgil-dəd  or gilt ˈgilt  ; gilding

: to cover with or as if with a coating of gold

gilder noun

gild

2 of 2

variant of guild