silver

A valuable, shiny, almost white metal used to make jewellery, coins, and other objects.

• This necklace is made of silver.
• They found silver in the mountains.
• How much is an ounce of silver worth?

Common phrases: pure silver, made of silver, gold and silver

A shiny grey colour like that of a bright metal.

• I chose silver for the car.
• Her hair had turned silver.
• The invitations came in silver and blue.

Common phrases: bright silver, in silver, silver and black

Knives, forks, spoons, and other table objects made from a valuable white metal or a similar metal.

• Please polish the silver before dinner.
• She put the good silver on the table.
• The family silver was kept in a locked cupboard.

Similar words: silverware, cutlery

Common phrases: the family silver, polish the silver, the good silver

A coin made from a valuable white metal.

• He gave the merchant a silver.
• She found two silvers in the old purse.
• The traveller paid in silver rather than gold.

Similar words: silver coin

Common phrases: a silver, pay in silver, gold and silver

Made from a valuable, shiny white metal.

• She wears a silver bracelet.
• We found some old silver coins.
• Are these earrings silver?

Similar words: silvern

Common phrases: silver ring, silver spoon, silver necklace

Having a soft, clear, beautiful sound.

• Her silver voice filled the hall.
• We heard the silver tones of distant bells.
• A flute sent silver notes through the quiet garden.

Similar words: silvery, melodious

Opposites: harsh

Common phrases: silver voice, silver tones, silver notes

To cover something with a thin layer of a shiny white metal.

• They silver the glass to make mirrors.
• The craftsman silvered the small metal box.
• This surface must be silvered before use.

Similar words: silver-plate

Common phrases: silver a mirror, silver the surface