noun
silver
SIHL-vuh
noun
1
A shiny, whitish precious metal (symbol Ag) used in jewellery, coins, and electronics.
"The necklace was made of solid silver."
2
A shiny grey color resembling this metal.
"She painted the fence a cool silver."
3
A silver medal, awarded for second place.
"He took silver in the 100 metres final."
adjective
1
Made of silver, or coloured like silver.
"He drove a silver hatchback."
2
Marking a twenty-fifth anniversary.
"They celebrated their silver wedding anniversary with a big family party."
verb
1
To coat or cover something with silver.
"The mirror's backing had been silvered by hand."
How to Use Silver
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe precious white metal, its colour, or (in sport) second-place status.
Common pairings
silver medal
silver wedding
sterling silver
silver lining
Word Forms
more silver comparative, silvered past tense, silvers plural, silvers singular, most silver superlative
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Etymology
From Old English seolfor, of uncertain ultimate origin, though related words appear across Germanic, Baltic, and Slavic languages — unusually widespread for a metal name, suggesting ancient long-distance trade.