# gilded

/ˈɡɪɫdɪd/ (US) · /ɡˈɪldɪd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gilded
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

covered with a thin layer of gold. It can also describe something that looks very successful or rich on the outside, even if it has problems underneath.

For teachers: covered thinly with gold leaf or gold paint; having a deceptively attractive appearance that conceals something of lesser value. Often used figuratively to describe a period of wealth or a privileged lifestyle.

## Examples

- The museum displays a beautiful gilded mirror.
- The wealthy family lived a gilded life, attending parties every night while ignoring the growing debt of their business.
- Historians often refer to the late nineteenth century as a gilded age, noting that the era's immense industrial wealth frequently masked deep-seated social inequality and political corruption.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun; can also function as the past participle of the verb 'gild'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.