adjective Uncommon

silky

SIHL-kee

Silky (adjective) means Smooth and soft to the touch, like silk. Example: “The conditioner left her hair silky and shiny.”

adjective

Smooth and soft to the touch, like silk.

"The conditioner left her hair silky and shiny."

Smooth and pleasant in a way that can seem too polished or seductive.

"The salesman had a silky manner that made her suspicious."

How to use silky

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSoft, smooth, and glossy — used for hair, fabric, or a smooth-talking manner.

Common pairings

silky smooth silky voice silky texture

Word forms

silkier comparative, silkiest superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The conditioner left her hair _____ and shiny.

Etymology

From Middle English sylky, equivalent to silk + -y.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for silky

milky

See all rhymes for silky →

Frequently asked questions

What does “silky” mean?

The word “silky” means smooth and soft to the touch, like silk. In plain terms, soft, smooth, and glossy — used for hair, fabric, or a smooth-talking manner.

How do you pronounce “silky”?

“Silky” is pronounced SIHL-kee (/ˈsɪlki/ in IPA).

How do you use “silky” in a sentence?

Here is “silky” used in a sentence: “The conditioner left her hair silky and shiny.”

What part of speech is “silky”?

“Silky” is an adjective.

Is “silky” a common word?

“Silky” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “silky” have?

“Silky” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: smooth and soft to the touch, like silk.