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

Additional offerings include a T-shirt and tote bag by Michael Kors, wooden nesting dolls by Thom Browne, a silk scarf by Tory Burch, Charlotte Chesnais jewelry and Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 May 2026

Betye Saar practically levitates into the room wearing a Max Mara jacket that resembles a bird’s plumage, with a butter-yellow silk Dior dress grazing the ground behind her and a cane in her hand. —Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

After Kevin McGonigle led off with a lineout – another smooth-as-silk sliding catch by Abreu – the righty issued back-to-back walks to Matt Vierling and Keith. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026

Between wash days, consider protecting your curls by sleeping with a silk bonnet or silk pillowcase. —Aimee Simeon, Glamour, 7 May 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