silk
1 of 2noun
ˈsilk 
often attributive
1
: a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually for cocoons
especially : a lustrous tough elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used for textiles
2
: thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk filaments
3
a
: a garment of silk
b(1)
: a distinctive silk gown worn by a King's or Queen's Counsel
(2)
: a King's or Queen's Counsel
c
silks plural : the colored cap and blouse of a jockey or harness horse driver made in the registered racing color of the employing stable
4
a
: a filament resembling silk
especially : one produced by a spider
b
: silky material
milkweed silk
especially : the styles of an ear of corn
5
: parachute
silklike
ˈsilk-ˌlīk
adjective silk
2 of 2verb
silked; silking; silks
intransitive verb
of corn
: to develop the silk
Example Sentences
Noun a variety of silks and satins The robe has butterflies embroidered in silk on the sleeves. the silk of a spider's web
Recent Examples on the Web
Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 8 Sep. 2022 Like previous years, Dannielynn was dressed to the nines at the 2018 Derby — this time wearing a white silk Southern belle gown with blue hydrangea appliqués from Lesy boutique. Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 According to the magazine, the couple — who married in 2014 — were spotted out to lunch in Santa Barbara on Monday, where Prinsloo reportedly displayed her baby bump in a silk floral dress. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Sep. 2022 This cream uses lipids and silk extract to strengthen, protect, and soften even the most stubborn calluses. Jillian Ruffo, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 Sep. 2022 Avoid silk that has a high burning rate that may be increased by dyes and other additives to provide color. oregonlive, 15 Aug. 2022 But then her legs started to twitch, and her abdomen and even her silk-producing spinnerets did so as well. Betsy Mason, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2022 The outfit was completed with a silk black robe for the evening dinner. Phillip Nieto, Fox News, 8 Aug. 2022 Buy corn that has a bright green husk with soft silk that’s golden brown. Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 30 July 2022 Jean Chen Smith, Cincinnati.com, 13 May 2020 In the end, a pink silked jockey named Javier Castellano rode City of Light in a victory that won him the the $9 million Pegasus World Cup and Chad Brown rode Bricks and Mortar to win the over $6 million prize Pegasus World Cup Turf. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2019 Strip away silks only and grill the ears inside their husks after a 20-minute soak in cold water. Cheryl Slocum, Country Living, 14 May 2011 Harbison, Fall 2014 His collaboration with Jim Thompson, silks that today are mostly considered for interiors not clothing, is just another example of how designers are increasingly blurring the lines between decor and fashion. Sarah Bray, ELLE Decor, 12 May 2014 Back in the U.S., Variety held its Power of Young Hollywood party, where Zendaya, Charli XCX, Yara Shahidi, and more walked the red (well, black) carpet in everything from Swarovski crystal suits to silk pajamas. vanityfair.com, 11 Aug. 2017 See More
Noun
The gas, which appears like spider silk around the center, is another reason for the unique naming of this nebula. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 8 Sep. 2022 Like previous years, Dannielynn was dressed to the nines at the 2018 Derby — this time wearing a white silk Southern belle gown with blue hydrangea appliqués from Lesy boutique. Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 According to the magazine, the couple — who married in 2014 — were spotted out to lunch in Santa Barbara on Monday, where Prinsloo reportedly displayed her baby bump in a silk floral dress. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Sep. 2022 This cream uses lipids and silk extract to strengthen, protect, and soften even the most stubborn calluses. Jillian Ruffo, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 Sep. 2022 Avoid silk that has a high burning rate that may be increased by dyes and other additives to provide color. oregonlive, 15 Aug. 2022 But then her legs started to twitch, and her abdomen and even her silk-producing spinnerets did so as well. Betsy Mason, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2022 The outfit was completed with a silk black robe for the evening dinner. Phillip Nieto, Fox News, 8 Aug. 2022 Buy corn that has a bright green husk with soft silk that’s golden brown. Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 30 July 2022 Verb
The company’s woven viscose bamboo threads are similar to silk and cashmere, offering luxury while remaining earth-friendly. Jean Chen Smith, Cincinnati.com, 13 May 2020 In the end, a pink silked jockey named Javier Castellano rode City of Light in a victory that won him the the $9 million Pegasus World Cup and Chad Brown rode Bricks and Mortar to win the over $6 million prize Pegasus World Cup Turf. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2019 Strip away silks only and grill the ears inside their husks after a 20-minute soak in cold water. Cheryl Slocum, Country Living, 14 May 2011 Harbison, Fall 2014 His collaboration with Jim Thompson, silks that today are mostly considered for interiors not clothing, is just another example of how designers are increasingly blurring the lines between decor and fashion. Sarah Bray, ELLE Decor, 12 May 2014 Back in the U.S., Variety held its Power of Young Hollywood party, where Zendaya, Charli XCX, Yara Shahidi, and more walked the red (well, black) carpet in everything from Swarovski crystal suits to silk pajamas. vanityfair.com, 11 Aug. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English seolc, sioluc, probably ultimately from Greek sērikos silken — more at sericeous
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1783, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing silk
Kids Definition
silk
noun
ˈsilk
1
: a fine fiber that is spun by many insect larvae usually to form their cocoon or by spiders to make their webs and that includes some kinds used for weaving cloth
2
: thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk
3
: the threadlike strands that are found over the kernels of an ear of corn
Medical Definition
silk
noun
ˈsilk
1
: a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually for cocoons
especially : a lustrous tough elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used for textiles
2
: strands of silk thread of various thicknesses used as suture material in surgery
surgical silk