silver lining

noun

: a consoling or hopeful prospect

Examples of silver lining in a Sentence

If there's a silver lining to losing my job, it's that I'll now be able to go to school full-time and finish my degree earlier.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But there is a silver lining to his dwindling playing time, Krneta said. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025 The silver lining is the Buccaneers got back Emeka Egbuka, who had suffered his own hamstring injury. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 All of that has led to this already collectible whiskey getting a lot more attention, which could be considered a silver lining to the situation. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2025 After reciting poetry, the same situation may appear differently, although nothing has changed except our perception, creating a space where the mystical, magical, or miraculous coexist, crafting a silver lining into the dark clouds of misfortune. K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for silver lining

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase "every cloud has a silver lining"

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silver lining was in 1871

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Cite this Entry

“Silver lining.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver%20lining. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

silver lining

noun
: a consoling or hopeful prospect
looked for the silver lining in a bad situation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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