silver

play

noun sil·ver \ ˈsil-vər \

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 show includes large-scale Polaroids, pinhole-camera landscapes, iPhone captures and classic gelatin silver prints.

— michael upchurch, The Seattle Times, "‘Women in Photography’ explores diverse possibilities of familiar medium," 29 Aug. 2017
The first incident involved an unlocked 2008 silver Lexus ES350 with the car keys left inside that was reported stolen sometime overnight Aug. 19 from the 1000 block of East Talbot Street, police said.

— karen ann cullotta, chicagotribune.com, "Arlington Heights police warn residents to never leave behind car keys after thefts increase," 29 Aug. 2017
Where a lot of palettes now chase trends (looking at you Naked Heat), the Smoky's got the perfect mix of matte and metallic silver, black, and brown, plus one beautiful shimmery plum.

— lindsay schallon, Glamour, "Urban Decay Is Discontinuing Its Beloved Naked Smoky Palette," 24 Aug. 2017
According to another theory, a unique silver-stringed harp that once belonged to Rhaegar is in Lyanna's tomb.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "14 Game of Thrones Theories That Will Blow Your Mind in Season 7," 23 Aug. 2017
Marquez, an Escondido resident who recently graduated from Valley High School, won an individual gold medal in power breaking and a silver in sparring.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "North County taekwondo trio bring home the gold," 22 Aug. 2017
In my dreams, the roast is presented on one of those gigantic gleaming silver wagons with sliding dome covers that open to reveal the fragrant temptation.

— mimi sheraton, Bon Appetit, "Prime Rib Is the Dining Spectacle of the Year," 21 Aug. 2017
The color spectrum smoothly transitions from a silver-gray—Fashion Faceoff—to a deep purple—Beau-Tie—and then strays slightly, with singular shades of royal blue and yellow gold.

— vanityfair.com, "The Sweetest Nail-Polish Colors of Summer 2017," 17 Aug. 2017
Other unique pieces soon followed, including a 1940s Longines Calatrava from Matthew Bain in Miami that had an original 37mm dial in matte silver.

— zachary prell, Town & Country, "Zachary Prell on His Love Affair with Luxury Watches," 17 Aug. 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.

Origin and Etymology of silver

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

silver Synonyms

Synonyms

flatware, tableware, silverware

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

There are always silver linings for the party that falls short in presidential elections.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Note to GOP: Senators From the Party That Doesn’t Control the White House Usually Do Very Well in Midterms," 24 Aug. 2017
Police said an officer tried to pull over the silver sedan after its driver ran a stop sign about 1:25 a.m. The teenager behind the wheel took off, with underage passengers in the car.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Teen arrested in crash that led to discovery of pot plants inside car," 14 Aug. 2017
David McCarthy figured the silver coin had to be one-of-a-kind after spotting it in the auction catalog.

— Washington Post, "Did Alexander Hamilton hold this coin?," 1 Aug. 2017
The Silver route is a pilot project slated to be in effect through the end of this year, according to Andrews.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford Transit's Silver Line helps connect residents with jobs in Perryman, Riverside," 20 July 2017
Silver linings The flood that came within inches of us helped neighbors get to know each other as never before.

— tim woodward, idahostatesman, "A disaster avoided, a home improved, a neighborhood enriched in Boise," 30 June 2017
The silver anniversary of RB RSVP’s founding was celebrated on June 21, when current and former patrol members and their spouses, police officers, government representatives and Wilson gathered in the Rancho Bernardo Library’s community room.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Rancho Bernardo RSVP started a worldwide movement 25 years ago," 28 June 2017
This number ($428, etsy.com) features a sparkling silver white raw diamond that stuns when nestled into a 14K white gold prong on top of a rose gold band.

— lauren smith, House Beautiful, "Raw Diamonds Are the Next Big Trend for Engagement Rings," 28 June 2017
A motorcyclist gets into it with the silver car and kicks at the vehicle.

— andrew moseman, Popular Mechanics, "Don't Watch This Crazy Road Rage Footage if You're Skittish About Car Accidents," 23 June 2017

First Known Use of silver

before 12th century

silver Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

achromatic, colorless, neutral; dirty, dull, faded, sad, washed-out; ashen, ashy, chalky, livid, mousy (or mousey), pale, palish, white, whitish; chocolate, dun, sandy, sepia; brindled (or brindle), grizzled, hoar, hoary

Near Antonyms

ablaze, bright, deep, gay, rich; chromatic, colored; colorful, motley, multicolored, polychromatic, polychrome, varicolored, variegated

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

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

SILVER Defined for English Language Learners

silver

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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

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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

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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