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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

silverware

SIHL-vuh-weh-uh

Silverware (noun) means Cutlery — knives, forks, and spoons — whether or not actually made of silver. Example: “She laid out the silverware before the guests arrived.”

noun
1
Cutlery — knives, forks, and spoons — whether or not actually made of silver.
"She laid out the silverware before the guests arrived."
2
(informal) Trophies or medals won in competition.
"The club has picked up plenty of silverware over the years."

How to use silverware

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTable cutlery, or, informally, trophies won in sport or competition.

UK vs US

American English uses "silverware" broadly for everyday cutlery, even plastic; British English more often says "cutlery" and reserves "silverware" for actual silver items or trophies.

Common pairings
polish the silverware win silverware

Word forms

silverwares plural

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She laid out the _____ before the guests arrived.

Rhymes for silverware

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Frequently asked questions

What does “silverware” mean?

The word “silverware” means cutlery — knives, forks, and spoons — whether or not actually made of silver. In plain terms, table cutlery, or, informally, trophies won in sport or competition.

How do you pronounce “silverware”?

“Silverware” is pronounced SIHL-vuh-weh-uh (/ˈsɪlvə(ɹ)ˌwɛə(ɹ)/ in IPA).

How do you use “silverware” in a sentence?

Here is “silverware” used in a sentence: “She laid out the silverware before the guests arrived.”

What part of speech is “silverware”?

“Silverware” is a noun.

How many meanings does “silverware” have?

“Silverware” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: cutlery — knives, forks, and spoons — whether or not actually made of silver.

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