# silverware

/ˈsɪɫvɝˌwɛɹ/ (US) · /sˈɪlvəwˌeə/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/silverware
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

the knives, forks, and spoons you use for eating. It can also refer to objects made of silver, like bowls or trophies.

For teachers: knives, forks, and spoons used for eating and serving food; also refers to decorative or functional objects made of silver. In a sporting context, it is used metonymically to refer to trophies or championship cups.

## Examples

- Please help me set the table with the silverware.
- After a decade without a title, the team is desperate to bring some silverware back to their home stadium this season.
- The museum's collection includes ornate 18th-century silverware that demonstrates the incredible craftsmanship of the era, though most pieces were clearly designed for display rather than daily use.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a collective noun for eating utensils in North American English; in British English, 'cutlery' is more common for utensils, while 'silverware' refers to silver items.

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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.