silver lining

noun

: a consoling or hopeful prospect

Example Sentences

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 Meanwhile, the comparatively underfunded women’s team is perhaps Chinese soccer’s only silver lining; the world No. 14 team won last year’s Asian Cup and is considered a dark horse for the Women’s World Cup in July. Andrew Mcnicol, CNN, 7 Apr. 2023 Could missing the playoffs have a silver lining? Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 4 Apr. 2023 The silver lining? Harper's BAZAAR, 18 Feb. 2023 In a time of uncertainty, distress and isolation, there was a silver lining: opportunity. Olivia Peluso, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 However, there was a silver lining. Whitney Perry, Glamour, 23 Jan. 2023 Yet maybe that's a silver lining. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2023 There is a silver lining, though. Vulture, 9 Jan. 2023 There is somewhat of a silver lining, however. Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'silver lining.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near silver lining

Cite this Entry

“Silver lining.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver%20lining. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

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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