gild the lily

phrase

: to add unnecessary ornamentation to something beautiful in its own right

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gild the lily was in 1830

Rhymes for gild the lily

See All Rhymes for gild the lily

Browse Nearby Words

gilding metal
gild the lily
Gilead
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Gild the lily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gild%20the%20lily. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Definition revised
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