silver
English meaning: Silver
Definition
A lustrous, white, metallic element, atomic number 47, atomic weight 107.87, symbol Ag.
Example
“She inherited a beautiful set of silver from her grandmother.”
Another example: “He won a silver medal at the national swimming championships.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A neutral noun for the precious metal, the colour, or items made of silver ('the family silver'). Also a sporting medal ('won silver'). Figuratively 'silver-tongued' means eloquent. Common across everyday and technical registers.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'seolfor', of Germanic origin, related to Dutch 'zilver' and German 'Silber'.
Synonyms
- articulate
- facile
- eloquent
- bright
- achromatic
- fluent
- metallic
- silver-tongued
- silvern
- colorless
Related Words
- medalist
- surfer
- bullion
- medal
- minted
- bronze
- coins
- coinage
- jubilee
- nitrate
Common Collocations
- silver medal
- sterling silver
- silver lining
- pure silver
- silver spoon
Word Forms
silver (n/adj); silvery (adj); silverware (n)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B