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.
Did any silver linings emerge from the delay and the extended post-production process? Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 July 2025 There were some silver linings in the briefings: through this May, expenditures in the city’s corporate fund were $79 million lower than expected, while revenues were $79 million higher. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 Despite a May boost from the NBA playoffs and to a lesser extent the NHL and global news turmoil, there’s no great silver lining for traditional TV. Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 One silver lining in the Sixers’ tire-fire of a season was the undrafted Edwards averaging 10.1 points per game in his rookie campaign. John Hollinger, New York Times, 19 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Silver lining.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver%20lining. Accessed 11 Jul. 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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