silky
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
soft and smooth to the touch, just like silk fabric.
having a smooth, soft, and lustrous texture resembling silk.
Simple“The cat has beautiful silky fur that is very soft to pet.”
In context“The conditioner left her hair with a silky sheen that caught the light even in the dim evening glow of the salon.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
describes a voice or sound that is smooth, pleasant, and easy to listen to.
characterised by a smooth, mellifluous, and often persuasive or seductive quality of sound.
Simple“The singer had a silky voice that made everyone in the room relax.”
In context“The diplomat spoke in a silky tone, carefully choosing words that would soothe the tensions between the two opposing factions.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
covered in very thin, soft hairs that lie flat and look shiny.
covered in fine, soft, appressed hairs that produce a lustrous or satiny sheen.
Simple“The underside of the leaf felt silky because of the tiny white hairs.”
In context“Botanists identify this specific subspecies by the silky pubescence on its stems, which distinguishes it from the more common rough-stemmed variety.”
SynonymssericeouspubescentAntonymsglabrous - 04 C2 Proficiency
describes someone who likes modern, popular things rather than natural or 'earthy' things.
pertaining to a lifestyle or set of preferences aligned with mainstream consumer culture, often contrasted with 'crunchy' or counter-cultural styles.
Simple“She is more of a silky parent who prefers modern gadgets over wooden toys.”
In context“The online debate between 'crunchy' and 'silky' parenting styles often highlights deep divides in modern consumer philosophy regarding child-rearing.”
SynonymsAntonyms
From Middle English sylky, equivalent to silk + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.