gild
/ɡɪld/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡɪld/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgild/ (ame, mw)
gild — verb
- gildpresent simple I / you / we / they
- gildshe / she / it
- gildedpast simple
- gilding-ing form
1. to add a thin outer coating of gold or a gold-coloured substance to the surface
to add a thin outer coating of gold or a gold-coloured substance to the surface of an object, so that it shines or looks precious.
The artisan spent the whole afternoon carefully gilding the wooden picture frame with real gold leaf.
gild + object (picture frame) + with [material]
A team of restorers was brought in to gild the worn-out dome of the old town hall.
passive: the dome was gilded by restorers
The museum entrance hall featured a gilded ceiling with sparkling stars painted between the gold panels.
Before the royal wedding, craftsmen gilded the edges of the invitation cards with a fine gold powder.
The Wang family commissioned a local jeweler to gild their antique tea set for the exhibition.
- gold-plate
refers specifically to electroplating with a thin layer of gold, used for jewellery and electronics
- gilt
used as an adjective or noun for gold-coloured coating; e.g. 'gilt buttons', 'a layer of gilt'
- tarnish
to lose shine or become dull, the opposite of adding a bright coating
文法句型
gild + object (usually a visible surface)
passive: be gilded with [material]
用法筆記
Often used as a past participle (gilded) to describe decorative surfaces: a gilded frame, a gilded statue. Distinguished from 'golden' (made of or resembling gold throughout) — gilded objects are only coated on the outside.
常見錯誤
2. to bathe or illuminate something in a warm, yellowish-gold light, so that it glo
to bathe or illuminate something in a warm, yellowish-gold light, so that it glows, especially during sunrise or sunset.
The setting sun gilded the rooftops of Florence, turning the whole city a soft amber colour.
gilded by the setting sun — poetic light scene
Morning light gilded the snowy peaks of the mountains, making them glow against the blue sky.
The autumn sun gilded the fallen maple leaves, giving the park an almost magical atmosphere.
Warm light from the fireplace gilded the old wooden floorboards, creating a cosy evening scene.
The photographer waited until the golden hour light gilded the bride's veil for the perfect portrait.
- illuminate
broader meaning — to light up in any colour, not specifically golden
- bathe
a softer verb suggesting gentle, all-around coverage by light
- darken
to make or become dark, the opposite of filling with light
文法句型
gild + object (landscape, surface)
be gilded by [light source]
用法筆記
Predominantly literary or descriptive in tone. Most common in past-participle form describing landscapes or interiors bathed in warm light. Unlike sense 1, no actual gold is involved — the effect is purely visual.
常見錯誤
3. to make something appear more attractive, admirable, or successful than it reall
to make something appear more attractive, admirable, or successful than it really is, usually by hiding its faults or exaggerating its good points — for example, a politician gilding a poor record with grand but hollow promises.
The company tried to gild its falling sales by highlighting one small success in its annual report.
gild + sales report — corporate spin
Critics said the biography gilded the writer's troubled childhood, skipping over the painful episodes.
Politicians often gild their campaign promises, sounding far more certain than the facts allow.
The menu description tried to gild a simple grilled chicken by calling it 'free-range poussin in a champagne jus'.
The developer's website gilded the dreary apartment block with phrases like 'boutique city living' and 'exclusive waterfront access'.
文法句型
gild + object (reputation, image, report)
gild + object + with + [attractive quality]
用法筆記
This sense is always critical — it describes deception or exaggeration, never genuine improvement. Distinguish from 'embellish' (which can be neutral, as in embellishing a story for entertainment) and 'improve' (which is positive). Frequently appears in discussions of public relations, advertising, and political communication.
常見錯誤
gild — noun
1. an organization formed by people who share the same trade, profession, or intere
an organization formed by people who share the same trade, profession, or interest, who join together to protect their common goals and set standards — an older spelling of the modern word 'guild'.
In medieval Europe, a merchant gild controlled the prices and quality of goods sold within a town.
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London began as a gild of skilled metalworkers in the 14th century.
gild + of [profession] — historical context
Each craft gild in the old city had its own hall where members trained new apprentices.
The Miller family has belonged to the same weavers' gild for five generations.
- guild
the modern standard spelling of the same word
- association
broader meaning — any group formed for a shared purpose, not specific to trades
用法筆記
This is an archaic alternative spelling of 'guild'. In modern English, 'guild' is the standard form. You will encounter the spelling 'gild' mainly in historical texts, names of older institutions, and certain literary works. Do not use this spelling in modern writing unless quoting a historical source or a proper name that retains the old form.