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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.
For a band that jams in finger-freezing weather during the Chicago winter, the long lines to get inside Christkindlmarket have been a silver lining. Noel Brennan, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025 Long’s had double-digit tackles in nine of his 11 games, including 12 tackles each of the last two weeks as one of CSU’s silver linings. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 27 Nov. 2025 The silver lining is that he has not yet been ruled out, so maybe some care can lead to the star receiver making his way back at some point. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025 Look for silver linings even in difficult situations. Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 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 30 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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