silk

1 of 2

noun

ˈsilk 

often attributive

1

: a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually for cocoons

especially : a lustrous tough elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used for textiles

2

: thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk filaments

3

a

: a garment of silk

b(1)

: a distinctive silk gown worn by a King's or Queen's Counsel

(2)

: a King's or Queen's Counsel

c

silks plural : the colored cap and blouse of a jockey or harness horse driver made in the registered racing color of the employing stable

4

a

: a filament resembling silk

especially : one produced by a spider

b

: silky material

milkweed silk

especially : the styles of an ear of corn

5

: parachute

silklike

ˈsilk-ˌlīk 

adjective

silk

2 of 2

verb

silked; silking; silks

intransitive verb

of corn

: to develop the silk

Examples of silk in a Sentence

Noun

a variety of silks and satins

The robe has butterflies embroidered in silk on the sleeves.

the silk of a spider's web

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Made with silk-cotton-tree fibers to boost volume and powder to add depth and fullness, the pencil’s first-of-its-kind formula is buildable and easy to blend. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026

Plush and cooling, Cozy Earth’s silk pillow is the ideal sleep companion for the person who wants a structured cloud to rest their head on. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026

My mom loves using it before trims and silk presses, and to simplify braid-downs for a protective style. —Essence Wiley, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026

The reflective, molten finish gives it a silk-like effect that’s sleek, fluid, and almost impossibly glossy. —Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English seolc, sioluc, probably ultimately from Greek sērikos silken — more at sericeous

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1783, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing silk

• (as) smooth as silk
• corn silk
• silk cotton
• silk cotton tree
• silk gland
• silk hat
• silk moth
• silk oak
• silk screen
• silk stocking
• silk tree
• sleave silk
• take silk
• tie silk

Rhymes for silk

• ilk
• whilk
• wilk
• buttermilk

Kids Definition

silk

noun

ˈsilk

1

: a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually to form their cocoons

especially : a strong glossy elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used to weave cloth

2

: thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk

3

: something resembling silk: as

a

: the thread produced by a spider

b

: the cluster of thin threadlike parts at the end of an ear of corn that are styles of the ovaries

Medical Definition

silk

noun

ˈsilk 

1

: a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually for cocoons

especially : a lustrous tough elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used for textiles

2

: strands of silk thread of various thicknesses used as suture material in surgery

surgical silk