# silky

/ˈsɪɫki/ (US) · /sˈɪlki/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/silky
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. smooth texture

adjective · CEFR B2

soft and smooth to the touch, just like silk fabric.

For teachers: having a smooth, soft, and lustrous texture resembling silk.

- The cat has beautiful silky fur that is very soft to pet.
- The conditioner left her hair with a silky sheen that caught the light even in the dim evening glow of the salon.

### 2. smooth sound

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

describes a voice or sound that is smooth, pleasant, and easy to listen to.

For teachers: characterised by a smooth, mellifluous, and often persuasive or seductive quality of sound.

- The singer had a silky voice that made everyone in the room relax.
- The diplomat spoke in a silky tone, carefully choosing words that would soothe the tensions between the two opposing factions.

### 3. covered in fine hairs

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

covered in very thin, soft hairs that lie flat and look shiny.

For teachers: covered in fine, soft, appressed hairs that produce a lustrous or satiny sheen.

- The underside of the leaf felt silky because of the tiny white hairs.
- Botanists identify this specific subspecies by the silky pubescence on its stems, which distinguishes it from the more common rough-stemmed variety.

### 4. mainstream culture

adjective · CEFR C2 · Slang · American English

describes someone who likes modern, popular things rather than natural or 'earthy' things.

For teachers: pertaining to a lifestyle or set of preferences aligned with mainstream consumer culture, often contrasted with 'crunchy' or counter-cultural styles.

- She is more of a silky parent who prefers modern gadgets over wooden toys.
- The online debate between 'crunchy' and 'silky' parenting styles often highlights deep divides in modern consumer philosophy regarding child-rearing.

## Examples

- The cat has very soft, silky fur.
- After using the new conditioner, her hair felt incredibly silky and was much easier to brush.
- The high-end moisturizer claims to leave the skin with a silky finish without any of the greasy residue associated with cheaper alternatives.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.