# velvet

/ˈvɛɫvət/ (US) · /vˈɛlvɪt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the fabric

noun · CEFR B2

a soft, thick fabric that feels very smooth when you touch it.

For teachers: a closely woven fabric of silk, cotton, or synthetic fibres, characterized by a short, dense pile on one side.

- She wore a dark blue velvet dress to the winter party.
- The theatre's heavy velvet curtains served both an aesthetic purpose and a functional one by dampening the sound from the lobby.

### 2. deer antlers

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the soft, furry skin that covers a deer's antlers while they are growing.

For teachers: the vascular skin and fine fur covering the growing antlers of deer, which is eventually shed or rubbed off.

- The young buck was rubbing the velvet off his new antlers against a tree.
- During the growth phase, the antlers are highly sensitive and protected by a layer of velvet that provides necessary blood flow.

### 3. soft and smooth

adjective · CEFR B2

having a very soft and smooth feeling, like the fabric.

For teachers: possessing a texture or quality reminiscent of velvet; smooth, soft, or mellow.

- The wine had a velvet texture that made it very easy to drink.
- The singer's velvet voice captivated the audience, filling the hall with a rich and mellow tone.

### 4. peaceful political change

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

used to describe a political change or revolution that happens without violence.

For teachers: referring to a transition of power or a revolution that is carried out without violence or bloodshed.

- The country underwent a velvet revolution, changing its government peacefully.
- Historians often cite the Velvet Divorce of Czechoslovakia as a rare example of a peaceful and orderly national separation.

### 5. cooking technique

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to coat meat in starch and oil before frying it to keep it soft.

For teachers: to marinate raw meat in a mixture of cornstarch and egg whites or oil before briefly blanching or frying it.

- You should velvet the chicken first to make sure it stays tender in the stir-fry.
- The chef insisted on velveting the beef to ensure the protein retained its moisture during the high-heat wok cooking process.

Usage: The verb is transitive and usually refers to preparation in Chinese cuisine.

## Examples

- She wore a beautiful red velvet dress to the party.
- The theater seats were covered in a heavy blue velvet that muffled the sound of the audience.
- The interior designer chose velvet curtains to add a sense of tactile richness and acoustic dampening to the high-ceilinged drawing room.

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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.