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

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 One of Charlie’s friends, a man with wavy, prematurely silver hair and a lime-green Speedo, had sat there clicking away on his Nikon, changing film, clicking again at all of them. — Rebecca Makkai, chicagotribune.com, "An excerpt from 'The Great Believers' by Rebecca Makkai: 1985," 21 May 2018 Advertising Former President Rafael Correa, whose government granted Assange refuge, had been a fierce supporter of the silver-haired computer expert. — Joshua Goodman, The Seattle Times, "After 7 long years, Assange’s capture happened quickly," 16 Apr. 2019 The new device has that navy blue over most of its chassis, and its edges remain the only parts where silver pokes through. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Samsung teases new Notebook 9 Pen with 15-hour battery life before CES 2019," 13 Dec. 2018 Neodymium production will have to grow by more than seven times, and silver will have to grow by nearly three times. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "We Might Not Have Enough Materials for All the Solar Panels and Wind Turbines We Need," 13 Dec. 2018 By documenting the completion of items, towns can be certified as a bronze or silver sustainer. — Denise Coffey, Courant Community, "Putnam Registers To Participate In Sustainable CT," 11 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

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 Stenberg wore a stunning black crop-top and a flowing white skirt, accessorizing the look with a black and silver bag. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Amandla Stenberg Looked Absolutely Stunning on Her Way to a Pre-Golden Globes Party in LA Last Night," 5 Jan. 2019 The star, who is nominated tonight for lead actress in The Americans, arrived in a silver metallic dress with a plunging neckline. — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, "Keri Russell Wore a Metallic Plunging Neckline Dress to the 2019 Golden Globes," 7 Jan. 2019 The law relies on the premium prices of those silver plans to determine tax credits. — Stephanie Armour, WSJ, "Trump’s Proposed ACA Rules Could Lift Costs for Millions of People," 17 Jan. 2019 Beyond the bric-a-brac, take note of the eclectic, rustic furniture, mid-century sterling silver jewelry and vintage clothing scattered throughout. — Lily Kupets, Vogue, "A Winter Weekend Destination You’ve Likely Overlooked: New Paltz, New York," 28 Dec. 2018

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

6 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