Gilt and guilt are homophones, words having the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling, that are easily confused by writers. Another reason that causes writers to interchange them is that spellcheck and autocorrect functions would not detect any error since both words can be found in the dictionary. This post will help you determine the differences between the two terms and avoid the confusion in the future.
The word gilt can be used as a noun referring to “gold leaf or gold paint applied in a thin layer to a surface.”
“The interior has gold gilt on the ceiling and walls.”
Saskatoon StarPhoenix“…arguing either gold gilt or yellow fabric would prove unsatisfactory for practical reasons related to weathering.”
The StateSinger Bebe Rexha Debuts a Line of Bomber Jackets with Gilt
PEOPLE
It may also be used as an adjective meaning “covered thinly with gold leaf or gold paint.”
“…and, at one point, Caesar settles into a gold-gilt bathtub.”
WhatsOnStage.com”Beauty is certainly the word that pops in mind when encountering a 12th-century gilt-silver cup from Korea’s Three Kingdoms Period (57 B.C.-A.D. 668).”
Korea JoongAng Daily“The frieze murals are lavishly highlighted with gold gilt borders and decorations.”
Anchorage Press
Meanwhile, gilt is also used as a noun referring to “bonds that are issued by the British government, and they are generally considered low-risk investments.“
Election 2017: ‘UK gilts have now recovered, but in our view gilt valuations are still very rich and last night’s events only increase the probability of a long-overdue normalisation of gilt yields.’
IFA MagazineTwo-year UK gilt yields hit two-month low as risk appetite falters
NasdaqDynamic bond funds saw August rate cut coming, had cut gilt exposures
Economic Times
On the other hand, the word guilt is mostly used as a noun referring to “the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime.”
Prosecutor says Cosby’s words show guilt of sexual assault
AOLWhat Guilt Has To Do With Embracing Your Authentic Self
Huffington PostMom’s Emotional Note Captures The Guilt Of Parenting A Middle Child
Huffington Post
A less common use for the term is as a verb meaning “to make someone feel guilty, especially in order to induce them to do something.”
Google wants to guilt you into installing solar panels on your roof
Mashable7 Unfair Ways Your Mom Might Be Guilting You
BustleSquare is guilting us into tipping basically everyone
Quartz
Now that you’ve learned the differences between gilt and guilt, you should be able to use them properly in your writing. Take note that some people feel guilt when they buy furniture with gold gilt.