1
: a very malleable metallic chemical element with atomic number 47 that is capable of a high degree of polish, has the highest thermal and electric conductivity of any substance, and that is used especially in jewelry and tableware, in electronics, and as an antimicrobial see Chemical Elements Table
2
: silver as a commodity
the value of silver has risen
3
: coin made of silver
4
: articles (such as hollowware or table flatware) made of or plated with silver
also
: similar articles and especially flatware of other metals (such as stainless steel)
5
: a nearly neutral slightly brownish medium gray
6
: coho
7
: a silver medal awarded as the second prize in a competition
1
: made of silver
2
: resembling silver: such as
a(1)
: having a white lustrous sheen
(2)
: of or tending towards the color silver
silver fur
a silver gray
b
: giving a soft resonant sound : dulcet in tone
c
: eloquently persuasive
3
: consisting of or yielding silver
4
: of, relating to, or characteristic of silver
5
: advocating the use of silver as a standard of currency
6
: of, relating to, or being a 25th anniversary or its celebration
silvered; silvering
ˈsil-v(ə-)riŋ 
1
a
: to cover with silver (as by electroplating)
b
: to coat with a substance (such as a metal) resembling silver
2
a
: to give a silvery luster to
b
: to make white like silver
Synonyms
Examples of silver in a Sentence
Noun
a bracelet made of silver
an artist who works in silver and gold
a wooden statue inlaid with silver
We need to polish the silver.
Adjective
a dress trimmed with silver ribbon
a distinguished-looking gentleman with silver hair
Verb
The surface of the lake was silvered by the moonlight.
Recent Examples on the Web
James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
As Claude leaves a weirdly nonspecific voicemail for Valentina in the next room (another classic blunder), Roselyn scoops some cyanide-containing silver polish out of its container on his desk and stirs it briskly into his tea.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Police alerted the Arizona Department of Public Safety and New Mexico state police to be on alert for Martin's silver 2016 Buick Encore with Arizona license plate BEA0TX.
—Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2021
Imboden’s partner, Ysaora Thibus, helped France to silver in the women’s team foil.
—Rachel Axon, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Aug. 2021
See all Example Sentences for silver 
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.
Noun
The Sherman Silver Act had required the government to purchase a monthly allotment of 4.5 million ounces (roughly 280,000 pounds) of silver.
—James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
As Claude leaves a weirdly nonspecific voicemail for Valentina in the next room (another classic blunder), Roselyn scoops some cyanide-containing silver polish out of its container on his desk and stirs it briskly into his tea.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Police did not locate either occupant of the silver sedan, authorities said.
—Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Police alerted the Arizona Department of Public Safety and New Mexico state police to be on alert for Martin's silver 2016 Buick Encore with Arizona license plate BEA0TX.
—Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Meinhardt’s wife, Lee Kiefer, won gold in women’s foil, and Imboden’s girlfriend, Ysaora Thibus, helped France to silver in the women’s team.
—David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2021
Imboden’s partner, Ysaora Thibus, helped France to silver in the women’s team foil.
—Rachel Axon, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Aug. 2021
See all Example Sentences for silver
Dictionary Entries Near silver
Cite this Entry
“Silver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
silver
1 of 3 noun
sil·ver
ˈsil-vər
1
: a soft white metallic element that takes a high polish and is a better conductor of heat and electricity than any other substance see element
2
a
: coin made of silver
b
: articles (as tableware) made of or plated with silver
c
: tableware made of other metals (as stainless steel)
3
: a medium gray
4
: a silver medal awarded as the second prize in a competition
silver
2 of 3 adjective1
: relating to, made of, or yielding silver
silver jewelry
silver ore
2
Medical Definition
silver
noun
sil·ver
ˈsil-vər
: a white metallic element that is sonorous, ductile, very malleable, capable of a high degree of polish, and chiefly monovalent in compounds, and that has the highest thermal and electric conductivity of any substance
—symbol Ag
see Chemical Elements Table
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share