silver

noun sil·ver \ ˈsil-vər \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of silver

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

See silver defined for English-language learners

See silver defined for kids

Examples of silver in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of silver from the Web

The driver of a silver or gray Honda Civic struck a female pedestrian and fled northbound onto Ritchie Highway.

— lisa m. bolton, Washington Post, "Crime reports for Anne Arundel and Howard counties and for Annapolis," 27 June 2018
The lode, which was named after Henry Comstock, was the first major discovery of silver in the United States.

— jonah raskin, SFChronicle.com, "‘The Bonanza King,’ by Gregory Crouch: Biography of an inconspicuous millionaire," 25 June 2018
The teenagers got out of a silver Honda Civic and a light-colored minivan, Winnick said.

— gal tziperman lotan, baltimoresun.com, "Pizza delivery driver robbed at knifepoint by 15 people at UMBC," 13 July 2018
The christening is expected to follow closely the ceremonies for Will and Kate's two older children, complete with the antique silver Lily Font and the handmade replica of the 177-year-old royal lace christening gown.

— maria puente, USA TODAY, "Prince Louis' godparents named, including Prince William and Prince Harry's close friend, Nicholas van Cutsem," 9 July 2018
As such, the Spurs have used the roster-building tools available to them to re-sign Rudy Gay and sign sharpshooter Marco Belinelli for a second go-round in silver and black.

— nick talbot, San Antonio Express-News, "Writers’ Roundtable: How the Spurs’ and NBA free agency is shaping up," 7 July 2018
Photos from the scene show the duo standing outside of a silver Mercedes SLS AMG pulled over with the doors wide open.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin Were "Stranded" in the Hamptons After Their Car Broke Down," 3 July 2018
Other artifacts found at the site include a colonial lock and a piece of silverIn July 2017, an 18th century crucifix was also found near the location, according to MLive.

— james rogers, Fox News, "Colonial era Michigan fort reveals its secrets," 3 July 2018
The fur of Weddell seals appeared like beautiful patchwork, speckled with splotches of grey on dark-silver skin.

— kasha patel, Smithsonian, "How Data-Gathering Seals Help Scientists Measure the Melting Antarctic," 13 July 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of silver

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

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First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

silver Synonyms

Synonyms

flatware, silverware, tableware;

Related Words

place setting, setting, setup;

silver plate;

cutlery;

chopstick, fork, knife, spoon, tablespoon, teaspoon;

silver

adjective

Definition of silver

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

See silver defined for English-language learners

Examples of silver in a Sentence

a dress trimmed with silver ribbon
a distinguished-looking gentleman with silver hair

Recent Examples of silver from the Web

The connection to my little silver fish was forged.

— shirley manson, New York Times, "Shirley Manson: The First Time I Cut Myself," 3 July 2018
Boynton Beach police told the South Florida Sun Sentinel the suspect is an older white male driving a two-door silver car.

— william cummings, USA TODAY, "Florida man claims he was punched on Independence Day for Trump flag in his yard," 6 July 2018
Barega, the World indoor 3000 meters silver medalist, finished in second place with a season best time of 13:02.67.

— jenna west, SI.com, "Watch: Ethiopian Runner Nearly Falls, Tries to Pull Other Runner Down by Shorts," 5 July 2018
The Bowerman Track Club's Shelby Houlihan, running today in the Pre Classic 1,500, is primed to build on her indoor success.. Olympic silver medalist Evan Jager has a big goal in mind for 2018.

— ken goe, OregonLive.com, "On Sam Kendricks, Hayward Field nostalgia and the Pre Classic: Oregon track & field rundown," 26 May 2018
Only one American skier has ever left the Olympics with a medal — Bill Koch, who won silver 42 years ago at the 1976 Innsbruck Games.

— beth bragg, Anchorage Daily News, "History for Norway’s Bjoergen but no medal for US in Olympic cross-country opener," 10 Feb. 2018
In cooler areas, combine white-flowered H. plantaginea with variegated Japanese silver grass (Miscanthussinensis 'Caberet'), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), and other perennials in borders protected from the hottest afternoon sun.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow The Most Stunning Hostas," 16 May 2017
On film this year, Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda in Black Panther is regally silver-haired.

— jessica berger gross, Longreads, "Gone Gray," 10 July 2018
Among the highlights of the exhibit are one of two known silver half-shekel coins minted by Jewish rebels in the first year of the revolt against Rome in A.D. 66.

— Fox News, "Franciscan museum in Jerusalem shows life in Jesus' time," 7 July 2018

First Known Use of silver

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

silver Synonyms

silver

verb

Definition of silver

silvered; silvering play \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

play \ˈsil-vər-ər\ noun

See silver defined for English-language learners

Examples of silver in a Sentence

The surface of the lake was silvered by the moonlight.

Recent Examples of silver from the Web

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

First Known Use of silver

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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SILVER Defined for English Language Learners

silver

noun

Definition of silver for English Language Learners

: 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

Definition of silver for English Language Learners

: made of silver
: containing silver
: of or relating to silver

silver

verb

Definition of silver for English Language Learners

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

SILVER Defined for Kids

silver

noun sil·ver \ ˈsil-vər \

Definition of silver for Students

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

Definition of silver for Students

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

Definition of silver for Students

silvered; silvering

: to coat with or as if with silver

Before us, the countryside unfolded, silvered by frost and moonlight.
—Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder

Medical Dictionary

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