velvet

1 of 2

noun

vel·​vet ˈvel-vət 

1

: a clothing and upholstery fabric (as of silk, rayon, or wool) characterized by a short soft dense warp pile

2

a

: something suggesting velvet

b

: a characteristic (such as softness or smoothness) of velvet

3

: the soft vascular skin that envelops and nourishes the developing antlers of deer

4

a

: the winnings of a player in a gambling game

b

: a profit or gain beyond ordinary expectation

velvetlike

ˈvel-vət-ˌlīk 

adjective

velvet

2 of 2

adjective

1

: made of or covered with velvet

also : clad in velvet

2

: resembling or suggesting velvet : velvety

a velvet voice

Examples of velvet in a Sentence

Noun

She was dressed in black velvet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The dress is crafted from lustrous taffeta, and a little velvet bow at the bust completes the look with understated material contrast. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 7 Jan. 2026

The crown is lined with purple velvet and has a frame crafted from gold, silver, and platinum. —Emma Banks, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Theroux looked dapper in a velvet black suit, white button-down shirt, black tie, and black leather boots. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 4 Jan. 2026

The white-terrazzo bar is topped with three 18-foot verdigris sculptural palms, while velvet booths are encased in their own domes, reminiscent of shells. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English veluet, velvet, borrowed from Anglo-French velvet, from velu "shaggy, soft, velvety" (going back to early Medieval Latin villūtus, from Latin villus "shaggy growth of hair, cloth nap" + Late Latin -ūtus, adjective suffix) + -et -et entry 1; Latin villus, perhaps dialectal variant of vellus "plucked wool, fleece" — more at wool

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing velvet

• velvet ant
• velvet bean

Kids Definition

velvet

noun

vel·​vet

ˈvel-vət

1

: a fabric with short soft raised fibers

2

: the soft skin covering the developing antler of a deer

velvet adjective