silver

noun

sil·ver | \ ˈsil-vər

Definition of silver

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

adjective

Definition of silver (Entry 2 of 3)

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

verb

silvered; silvering\ ˈsil-v(ə-)riŋ

Definition of silver (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to cover with silver (as by electroplating)

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

2a : to give a silvery luster to

b : to make white like silver

Other Words from silver Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about silver

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Synonyms for silver

Synonyms: Noun

flatware, silverware, tableware

Synonyms: Adjective

argentine, gray (also grey), grayish, leaden, pewter, silvery, slate, slaty (also slatey), steely

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

Then colors sneak in, though not a lot of them—subdued flesh tones and somber earth tones, punctuated by flashes of silver; all traces of blue have been banished from the screen. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘Shadow’ Review: Not Everything Is Black and White," 2 May 2019 The sheriff’s video said that in 1998, officials located $5 million worth of silver at a different Binion property in Pahrump. — Ken Ritter, The Seattle Times, "Sheriff seeks man seen at site once owned by casino heir," 11 Apr. 2019 Heavily pregnant Meghan Markle, fresh from her recent baby shower trip to New York City, looked elegant yet modern in a seriously stunning metallic brocade dress, woven with pale tones of silver and gold. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Wore a Stunning Metallic Brocade Dress to Prince Charles's Investiture 50th Anniversary," 5 Mar. 2019 Each member of the bridal party was gifted with a circular basket embroidered with their name by Edit 58, containing a pair of silver Ancient Greek Sandals with pink pony heart details and pink silk robes to wear while getting ready. — Tamara Abraham, Harper's BAZAAR, "How Two Ultra-Stylish Brides Dreamed Up the Ultimate Countryside Wedding," 21 Feb. 2019 The Y100s and Y500s come in four colors: pink, green, blue, and black, while the N700NCs just come in silver. — Dami Lee, The Verge, "Samsung unveils three new AKG wireless headphones," 14 Sep. 2018 So here's to more women in Hollywood (and beyond!) feeling so inclined to embrace their natural silver hair like a true boss. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "At 60, Jamie Lee Curtis Turns Shocking White Everything Into the Ultimate Red Carpet Move," 7 Jan. 2019 Spry and deeply tanned, his silver hair combed back into a boyish mop, Lopez Obrador has long been the most recognizable alternative to Mexico’s two dominant political parties. — Kate Linthicum, latimes.com, "Fed up with violence and corruption, Mexican voters embrace a seasoned leftist who wants to double the minimum wage," 24 June 2018 Even so, in the Wayne County of the future, silver hair and bifocals will proliferate. — Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan is aging faster than the rest of the U.S. – here's why," 8 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

On the more subdued end of the spectrum, there was editor Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert, who did metallics via a silver strapless top and a calf-length denim skirt. — Vogue, "15 Ways to Rock Metallic Glitz for Day," 15 May 2019 Several, including the six-speed automatic, 17-inch silver or black wheels, Mini Connected telematics services, and a panoramic moonroof, are normally bundled with big-dollar packages that turn the Mini into a $30,000 affair. — Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, "Only Current Students, Recent Grads, and U.S. Military Can Buy This Mini," 14 May 2019 Notably, silver spinyfin fish (Diretmus argenteus) turned out to have 38 rod opsin genes. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Some Fish Can See in Color at 5,000 Feet Below Sea Level," 10 May 2019 The Bentley left England with a silver metallic exterior, but Prince Abd al-llah only had a few months to enjoy it; he was killed in the 1958 Iraqi coup d’état on July 14 that year. — Fox News, "1958 Bentley stolen by Saddam Hussein and destroyed in Iraq War restored in USA," 3 Aug. 2018 The collection features porcelain trays, coasters, and boxes emblazoned with a silver hemp leaf on a black background or a sultry pair of red lips dangling a smoke. — Jennifer Milne, ELLE Decor, "In Time for 4/20, the Ultimate and Uber-Chic Weed Accessories from Jonathan Adler," 19 Apr. 2019 Colman wears an icy blue silk gown with a beaded neckline, along with a silver tiara, dangling diamond earrings and a matching necklace, white gloves, and a beaded purse. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "A New Photo from The Crown Season 3 Set Shows Olivia Colman in a Tiara as the Queen," 4 Mar. 2019 Many people think sterling silver flatware is not dishwasher-safe. — Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, "Everything You Need to Know About Caring for Tabletop Accessories," 11 Feb. 2019 This rose-gold-plated, sterling silver band is adorned with raw diamonds crafted by a Washington jewelry maker. — Nia Martin, The Seattle Times, "Valentine’s Day gifts that celebrate your Seattle love," 4 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

His silvered-mirror furniture from the '30s and '40s is all the rage today, but eight years ago this bed ended up in a sleepy sale at Sotheby's. — Frances Schultz, House Beautiful, "Inside Bunny Williams's Silvery, Shimmery Bedroom," 8 Nov. 2012 As the years silvered his hair, his decision to leave it undyed, rare among high-ranking cadres, marked him out as different, even a bit daring. — The Economist, "No ordinary ZhouZhou Xiaochuan, China’s central-bank chief, is about to retire," 1 Feb. 2018 For the color of rain and silvered rivers scribbled on distant hills. — Hartford Courant, courant.com, "Loss And Affirmation: The Poems Of Julia Morris Paul," 18 July 2017 Today, my mischievous father is forever 54, with a head of brown hair, just silvered at the temples. — Special To The Denver Post, The Denver Post, "Mind’s Eye: On Father’s Day, I think of pranks," 14 June 2017 But the defining shot of last year's Finals and maybe of this NBA era was made by the Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving over Steph Curry in the last minute of the last game of last year's Finals, reducing the Warriors to silver medalists. — Bill Livingston, cleveland.com, "NBA Finals 2017: Golden State shoots down Cleveland Cavaliers again for 2-0 lead: Bill Livingston (photos)," 4 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'silver.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near silver

Statistics for silver

Last Updated

20 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for silver

The first known use of silver was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for silver

silver

noun

English Language Learners Definition of silver

(Entry 1 of 3)

: a soft grayish-white metal that is very valuable and is used to make jewelry, coins, knives, forks, etc.

: objects (such as knives, forks, teapots, candlesticks, etc.) that are made of or covered with silver

: coins that are made of silver

silver

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of silver (Entry 2 of 3)

: made of silver

: containing silver

: of or relating to silver

silver

verb

English Language Learners Definition of silver (Entry 3 of 3)

technical : to cover (something, such as a mirror) with a thin layer of silver or something that looks like silver

literary : to make (something) shine like silver

See the full definition for silver in the English Language Learners Dictionary

silver

noun

sil·ver | \ ˈsil-vər

Kids Definition of silver

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a soft white metallic chemical element that can be polished and is used for money, jewelry and ornaments, and table utensils

2 : coin made of silver

3 : silverware table silver

4 : a medal made of silver that is given to someone who wins second place in a contest

5 : a medium gray

silver

adjective

Kids Definition of silver (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : made of, coated with, or yielding the soft white metallic chemical element silver a silver teapot

2 : having the medium gray color of silver silver hair

silver

verb

silvered; silvering

Kids Definition of silver (Entry 3 of 3)

: to coat with or as if with silver Before us, the countryside unfolded, silvered by frost and moonlight.— Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder

silver

noun

sil·ver | \ ˈsil-vər

Medical Definition of silver

: 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