gilded age: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Historical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “gilded age” mean?
A historical period in the late 19th century (approximately 1870–1900) in the United States, characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and great wealth, but also marked by corruption, social inequality, and political stagnation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical period in the late 19th century (approximately 1870–1900) in the United States, characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and great wealth, but also marked by corruption, social inequality, and political stagnation.
Any period or society where a superficial, prosperous, and glittering exterior conceals serious underlying social problems, corruption, and moral decay.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates from and is predominantly used in an American historical context. British usage is almost exclusively metaphorical or comparative.
Connotations
In the US, it carries specific historical weight and critique of the post-Civil War era. In the UK, it often connotes a general critique of unregulated capitalism or is used in comparative history.
Frequency
Much more frequent in US English due to its role in national history.
Grammar
How to Use “gilded age” in a Sentence
[The/This/Our] + Gilded Age + [be verb] + [adj phrase]We are living in a [new/second/modern] Gilded Age.The period was described as a Gilded Age.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gilded age” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The era was famously gilded by the novelist Mark Twain.
American English
- Twain and Warner co-authored the novel that gilded the age with its name.
adjective
British English
- He lived a gilded-age lifestyle of parties and luxury.
American English
- The mansion is a Gilded-Age relic on Fifth Avenue.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically to describe periods of extreme wealth concentration and lax regulation.
Academic
Standard term in US history, economics, and sociology for the late 19th century; used metaphorically in political science.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; may appear in political commentary or discussions about wealth inequality.
Technical
A defined period in historiography with specific economic and social markers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gilded age”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gilded age”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gilded age”
- Writing it in lowercase ('gilded age').
- Using it as a purely positive term for a wealthy era.
- Confusing it with the 'Golden Age' or 'Jazz Age'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The term was coined by American writers Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner in their 1873 novel 'The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today'.
Primarily, yes. It refers to a specific period in US history. However, it is often used metaphorically to describe similar periods in other countries or in the modern day.
A 'Golden Age' implies a genuine, high-quality peak period (e.g., The Golden Age of Cinema). A 'Gilded Age' is critical, suggesting the quality and morality are only a thin, shiny veneer over something less valuable.
Only when using the term in a purely metaphorical, non-proper noun sense (e.g., 'a gilded age of technology'). When referring to the specific US historical period, it must be capitalised as 'the Gilded Age'.
A historical period in the late 19th century (approximately 1870–1900) in the United States, characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and great wealth, but also marked by corruption, social inequality, and political stagnation.
Gilded age is usually formal/historical/academic in register.
Gilded age: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪl.dɪd eɪd͡ʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪl.dɪd eɪd͡ʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be/live in] a gilded cage (related concept of luxurious imprisonment)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a statue covered in a thin layer of gold (gilded) that looks magnificent from afar but is made of cheaper material underneath. The 'age' looked golden but had a corrupt core.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS AN OBJECT / ERA IS AN OBJECT. A shiny, valuable exterior (wealth, progress) covers a base, flawed interior (corruption, poverty).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of the term 'Gilded Age'?