velvet

1 of 2

noun

vel·​vet ˈvel-vət 

1

: a clothing and upholstery fabric (as of silk, rayon, or wool) characterized by a short soft dense warp pile

2

a

: something suggesting velvet

b

: a characteristic (such as softness or smoothness) of velvet

3

: the soft vascular skin that envelops and nourishes the developing antlers of deer

4

a

: the winnings of a player in a gambling game

b

: a profit or gain beyond ordinary expectation

velvetlike

ˈvel-vət-ˌlīk 

adjective

velvet

2 of 2

adjective

1

: made of or covered with velvet

also : clad in velvet

2

: resembling or suggesting velvet : velvety

a velvet voice

Examples of velvet in a Sentence

Noun

She was dressed in black velvet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There are balconies on each floor with avenue views, and all rooms feature mosaic tiles, custom millwork, and velvet headboards. —Paul Oswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Elle, meanwhile, wore a vintage Romeo Gigli coat with a brown velvet collar from the fall 1989 collection, over black trousers and pointy-toe shoes. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026

Adjective

The velvet side features classic vertical stitching that adds aesthetic appeal and gives it the illusion of a thicker quilt. —Nicole Pyles, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026

Velvet Another specialty material that should be kept out of the dryer is velvet. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English veluet, velvet, borrowed from Anglo-French velvet, from velu "shaggy, soft, velvety" (going back to early Medieval Latin villūtus, from Latin villus "shaggy growth of hair, cloth nap" + Late Latin -ūtus, adjective suffix) + -et -et entry 1; Latin villus, perhaps dialectal variant of vellus "plucked wool, fleece" — more at wool

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing velvet

• velvet ant
• velvet bean

Kids Definition

velvet

noun

vel·​vet

ˈvel-vət

1

: a fabric with short soft raised fibers

2

: the soft skin covering the developing antler of a deer

velvet adjective