gilded

1 of 2

adjective

gild·​ed ˈgil-dəd 

1

: covered or tinged with gold or a golden color

gilded icons

The reception room, just off the entryway, features colorful wall and ceiling decorations and a gilded overmantel mirror and matching cornices.

—Stephen May

2

: having a background of wealth and luxury : prosperous, luxurious

Emily Post was raised among New York's gilded elite.

—Susan Berfield

… despite the upper-crust background and the gilded résumé, Bonham Carter is a pretty modern chick off stage.

—Elizabeth Gleick

gilded

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of gild entry 1

Examples of gilded in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Another standout design element came through gilded metallic chains on several sandals, which created a sense of delicate and dynamic glamour. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Five original murals by Naples artist Janine Wesselmann celebrate the city's social traditions, while a baby grand piano provides the soundtrack most evenings beneath gilded ceilings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

Many of its stations look as though they were built for the tsars, clad in precious marble and adorned with mosaics, crystal chandeliers, sculptures, and gilded moldings. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

The bathroom brings that rich blue into focus with its gilded vanity and various textures. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from past participle of gild entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gilded

• builded