gold leaf

noun

: an extremely thin sheet of gold that is used especially for gilding

Examples of gold leaf in a Sentence

a frame covered with gold leaf
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are €100 entry fees, six-figure tables, and sushi wrapped in gold leaf. — Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026 Thus trumpets the tagline for Nicole Kidman’s assignation with Constantin Brancusi’s bronze and gold leaf Danaïde (1913), circulated online this past spring in advance of the work’s auction. — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 At the time, fancy cigarettes had gold leaf to decorate the tip. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 Aug. 2026 The replica white frieze that lines the roof of the upper decks is a nice touch, too, along with the gold leaf lettering on the outside. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gold leaf

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gold leaf was circa 1741

Rhymes for gold leaf

See All Rhymes for gold leaf

Browse Nearby Words

gold-laced
gold leaf
goldless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gold leaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gold%20leaf. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

gold leaf

noun
: a very thin sheet of gold used especially for gilding

More from Merriam-Webster on gold leaf

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gold leaf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of prowess

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All