silken

adjective

silk·​en ˈsil-kən 

1

: made or consisting of silk

2

: resembling silk: such as

a

: soft, lustrous

b(1)

: agreeably smooth : harmonious

a silken voice

(2)

: suave, ingratiating

3

a

: dressed in silk

silken ankles

b

: having a richly luxurious quality

… the same silken surroundings encountered at the restaurant's far more expensive evening meal.

—Elaine Tait

Synonyms of silken

• silky
• satin
• soft

Examples of silken in a Sentence

the silken texture of the synthetic fabric

she was unaccustomed to living in such silken surroundings

Recent Examples on the Web

The pair even posed atop a set of the villa’s ancient stairs, which were draped with a silken pink fabric and dotted with flowers. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

The casemaking moth, on the other hand, never leaves its silken casing behind. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026

The other is always saffron-rosewater, which is sunshine-yellow, heady as a summer garden, and lusciously silken in texture. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 28 June 2026

Jean-Micheal Gathy's interiors are decorated in pale sand, taupe, and gold tones, with marble floors and silken carpets. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for silken

• milken

Kids Definition

silken

adjective

silk·​en ˈsil-kən 

1

: made of or with silk

2

: resembling silk especially in soft smooth feel

3

: pleasantly smooth

a silken voice