English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Login Flashcards
noun B1 Intermediate Common

silk

sihlk
Quiz me More like this

Silk (noun) means a fine, soft fiber produced by silkworms, or fabric woven from it. Example: “The tie felt smooth against his neck because it was made of silk.”

noun
1
A fine, soft fiber produced by silkworms, or fabric woven from it.
"The tie felt smooth against his neck because it was made of silk."
"The dress was made of pure silk and felt cool against her skin."
"Spiders spin silk far stronger, ounce for ounce, than steel."
2
(British law, informal) A Queen's or King's Counsel, or the gown they wear.
"Her colleagues congratulated her when she was appointed silk last week."
"The barrister, now a silk, was called to argue the hardest cases."
"After twenty years at the bar, she finally took silk."

How to use silk

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA smooth, shiny fabric made from fibers spun by silkworms.

When to use it

"Take silk" is a specifically British legal idiom meaning to be appointed a senior barrister (KC/QC).

Easily confused with
satin →
Common pairings
pure silk silk dress take silk spider silk
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like silk.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
silks
Third person singular
silks
Past tense
silked
Test yourself on “silk” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The tie felt smooth against his neck because it was made of _____.

Etymology

From Old English seolc, probably borrowed via early Baltic trade routes, ultimately tracing back through Latin and Greek to an East Asian source — the same root that gives us "China" as a byword for fine goods.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for silk

ilk milk Wilk
See all rhymes for silk →

Frequently asked questions

What does “silk” mean?
The word “silk” means a fine, soft fiber produced by silkworms, or fabric woven from it. In plain terms, a smooth, shiny fabric made from fibers spun by silkworms.
How do you pronounce “silk”?
“Silk” is pronounced sihlk (/sɪlk/ in IPA).
How do you use “silk” in a sentence?
Here is “silk” used in a sentence: “The dress was made of pure silk and felt cool against her skin.”
What part of speech is “silk”?
“Silk” is a noun.
Where does the word “silk” come from?
The word “silk” comes from Latin. From Old English seolc, probably borrowed via early Baltic trade routes, ultimately tracing back through Latin and Greek to an East Asian source — the same root that gives us "China" as a byword for fine goods.
Is “silk” a common word?
“Silk” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “silk” have?
“Silk” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fine, soft fiber produced by silkworms, or fabric woven from it.
What is the difference between silk and satin?
Silk is a natural fibre produced by silkworms and the fabric woven from it. Satin, by contrast, refers to a type of weave that gives fabric a glossy surface, and it can be made from silk or from synthetic fibres such as polyester. So all silk is a fibre, but not all satin is silk.
What is the difference between silk and wool?
Both are natural fibres, but silk is produced by silkworms and is smooth, lightweight, and lustrous, while wool comes from sheep and similar animals and is thicker and warmer. Silk is prized for its softness and sheen, whereas wool is valued mainly for insulation.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include silk:

Words that end with K