English Reference
noun · adjective

gilt

n. · adj.
US /ˈɡɪɫt/ UK /ɡˈɪlt/ gilt UK spelling gilts

  1. 01 C1 Advanced British English Finance

    n.a type of investment or bond issued by the British government.

    n.a high-grade investment security, specifically a bond issued by the UK government.

    Simple

    Many investors buy gilts because they are considered a very safe investment.

    In context

    Market analysts observed a sharp rise in gilt yields following the central bank's announcement regarding interest rate adjustments.

    Usage

    Usually used in the plural form 'gilts' when referring to the market or multiple securities.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency TechnicalDialect

    n.a young female pig that has not yet had babies.

    n.a young female domestic pig, typically one that has not yet farrowed.

    Simple

    The farmer kept the healthiest gilt to join the breeding herd next year.

    In context

    The livestock judge evaluated the gilt based on her physical structure and potential for future reproductive success.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Literary

    adj.having the colour of gold or covered in a thin layer of gold.

    adj.covered with gold leaf or gold-coloured pigment; golden in appearance.

    Simple

    The sun set behind the hills, giving the clouds a beautiful gilt edge.

    In context

    The library was filled with gilt-edged volumes that shimmered under the soft glow of the chandeliers.

This added to the ups and downs in the gilt markets - the trade in British government debt.

BBC News· 2 Sept 2026

UK government bonds - known as "gilts" - are normally considered very safe, with little risk the money will not be repaid.

BBC News· 2 Sept 2026

Etymology 1

Formed in English from the verb gild (“to cover in gold”). Compare gold and German Geld.

Etymology 2

From Middle English gilt, gylt, from Old Norse gyltr; compare geld and yelt.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated