silver

1 of 3

noun

sil·​ver ˈsil-vər 

1

: a very malleable metallic chemical element with atomic number 47 that is capable of a high degree of polish, has the highest thermal and electric conductivity of any substance, and that is used especially in jewelry and tableware, in electronics, and as an antimicrobial see Chemical Elements Table

2

: silver as a commodity

the value of silver has risen

3

: coin made of silver

4

: articles (such as hollowware or table flatware) made of or plated with silver

also : similar articles and especially flatware of other metals (such as stainless steel)

5

: a nearly neutral slightly brownish medium gray

6

: coho

7

: a silver medal awarded as the second prize in a competition

silver

2 of 3

adjective

1

: made of silver

2

: resembling silver: such as

a(1)

: having a white lustrous sheen

(2)

: of or tending towards the color silver

silver fur

a silver gray

b

: giving a soft resonant sound : dulcet in tone

c

: eloquently persuasive

3

: consisting of or yielding silver

4

: of, relating to, or characteristic of silver

5

: advocating the use of silver as a standard of currency

6

: of, relating to, or being a 25th anniversary or its celebration

silver

3 of 3

verb

silvered; silvering ˈsil-v(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to cover with silver (as by electroplating)

b

: to coat with a substance (such as a metal) resembling silver

2

a

: to give a silvery luster to

b

: to make white like silver

silverer

ˈsil-vər-ər 

noun

Synonyms of silver

Noun

• silverware
• knife
• flatware
• fork

Adjective

• gray

Examples of silver in a Sentence

Noun

a bracelet made of silver

an artist who works in silver and gold

a wooden statue inlaid with silver

We need to polish the silver.

Adjective

a dress trimmed with silver ribbon

a distinguished-looking gentleman with silver hair

Verb

The surface of the lake was silvered by the moonlight.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tatiana Malinina, representing Uzbekistan, finished eighth in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, the same Olympics where Tara Lipinski and Kwan took gold and silver, respectively. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

Golden Globes hostess Nikki Glaser struts down the streets of Los Angeles in silver pumps for her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! —Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026

Adjective

For his battle-worn, brooding rendition of the heroic outlaw in the A24 film, the Les Misérables actor shows off a long gray beard paired with silver locks—a far cry from other Robin Hoods portrayed by actors like Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, and Russell Crowe. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026

The Swedes, so often a silver medalist in this tournament, won for the third time in 15 championship game appearances. —Joe Smith, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026

Verb

So will silver outpace gold in 2026? —Tim Maxwell, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025

Rows of blowsy moss-green cabbages, their thick veins silvered with spider webs, the edges of their tougher outer leaves nibbled by slugs and snails. —Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English seolfor; akin to Old High German silbar silver, Lithuanian sidabras

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing silver

• born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
• every cloud has a silver lining
• German silver
• nickel silver
• silver age
• silver alert
• silver bell
• silver bromide
• silver bullet
• silver carp
• silver certificate
• silver chloride
• silver cord
• silver dollar
• silver dollar plant
• silver fir
• silver foil
• silver fox
• silver hake
• silver iodide
• silver lining
• silver maple
• silver medal
• silver nitrate
• silver paper
• silver perch
• silver plate
• silver-plated
• silver protein
• silver salmon
• silver screen
• silver spoon
• silver standard
• silver-tongued
• the silver screen

Rhymes for silver

• quicksilver

Kids Definition

silver

1 of 3 noun

sil·​ver ˈsil-vər 

1

: a soft white metallic element that takes a high polish and is a better conductor of heat and electricity than any other substance see element

2

a

: coin made of silver

b

: articles (as tableware) made of or plated with silver

c

: tableware made of other metals (as stainless steel)

3

: a medium gray

4

: a silver medal awarded as the second prize in a competition

silver

2 of 3 adjective

1

: relating to, made of, or yielding silver

silver jewelry

silver ore

2

: silvery sense 1

silver

3 of 3 verb

silvered; silvering ˈsilv-(ə-)riŋ 

: to coat with or as if with silver

silverer

ˈsil-vər-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

silver

noun

sil·​ver ˈsil-vər 

: a white metallic element that is sonorous, ductile, very malleable, capable of a high degree of polish, and chiefly monovalent in compounds, and that has the highest thermal and electric conductivity of any substance

—symbol Ag see Chemical Elements Table