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 may be a surprising silver lining for retirement savers. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026 Still, Sabree sees the silver lining. Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026 But players and coaches (and, quite honestly, fans) don’t want to talk about silver linings or draft standings. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026 There’s a potential silver lining for Anthropic. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 28 Feb. 2026 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 12 Mar. 2026.

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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