# silver

/ˈsɪɫvɝ/ (US) · /sˈɪlvɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/silver
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the precious metal

noun · CEFR A2

a shiny, expensive, grey-white metal used to make jewellery, coins, and mirrors.

For teachers: a lustrous, white, metallic chemical element (symbol Ag) valued for its conductivity and aesthetic appeal in jewellery and currency.

- She wore a beautiful necklace made of pure silver.
- The artisan specialised in working with sterling silver, creating intricate filigree patterns that were highly sought after by collectors.

### 2. cutlery and utensils

noun · CEFR B1

spoons, forks, and knives used for eating, even if they are not made of real silver.

For teachers: a collective term for cutlery, tableware, and other eating utensils, regardless of their actual metallic composition.

- We only use the good silver when we have guests for dinner.
- The butler spent the afternoon polishing the family silver in preparation for the formal banquet.

### 3. the colour

noun · CEFR A2

a shiny, light grey colour like the metal silver.

For teachers: a metallic, lustrous grey colour resembling the appearance of polished silver.

- The car was painted a bright, metallic silver.
- The moonlight turned the surface of the lake into a shimmering sheet of silver.

### 4. a sports medal

noun · CEFR B1

a medal given to the person who finishes in second place in a race or competition.

For teachers: a medal made of or coloured like silver, awarded to the runner-up in a sporting event or competition.

- The swimmer was disappointed to win the silver instead of the gold.
- After a photo finish, the judges confirmed that the local athlete had secured the silver by a fraction of a second.

### 5. made of silver

adjective · CEFR A2

made from the metal silver.

For teachers: composed of or plated with the metallic element silver.

- He gave her a small silver ring for her birthday.
- The museum displayed a collection of ancient silver coins recovered from a shipwreck in the Mediterranean.

### 6. anniversary

adjective · CEFR B1

used to describe the 25th anniversary of an event, especially a wedding.

For teachers: denoting the twenty-fifth anniversary of a significant event, most commonly a marriage.

- My parents are celebrating their silver wedding anniversary this year.
- The couple hosted a grand gala to commemorate their silver jubilee, inviting friends from across the country.

### 7. relating to the elderly

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

relating to older people, often because of their grey or white hair.

For teachers: pertaining to senior citizens or the elderly, often used in economic or demographic contexts.

- The government is discussing the growth of the silver economy.
- Economists are increasingly focused on the silver market as the aging population gains more significant purchasing power.

### 8. to turn grey

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to become grey or white, usually talking about someone's hair as they get older.

For teachers: to become silvery or grey in appearance; specifically used in reference to hair whitening due to age.

- His hair began to silver at the temples when he reached his fifties.
- As the years passed, his once-dark beard began to silver, giving him a distinguished and scholarly appearance.

## Examples

- She wears a beautiful ring made of silver.
- The museum displays ancient coins made of solid silver that were found in the ocean.
- While gold remains the traditional hedge against inflation, silver often experiences higher price volatility due to its extensive industrial applications in electronics and solar energy technology.

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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.