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.
And then there’s this period where there’s a silver lining. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025 The silver lining, though, is that Weiss has been with the organization's core group since the beginning. Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025 Another silver lining of the deal is flexibility. Paulina Likos, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025 Bryan discussed navigating grief and finding silver linings after the family tragedies on a CNN podcast. Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 29 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Silver lining.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver%20lining. Accessed 8 Nov. 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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