silver lining

noun

: a consoling or hopeful prospect

Examples of silver lining in a Sentence

If there's a silver lining to losing my job, it's that I'll now be able to go to school full-time and finish my degree earlier.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The silver lining in all of this is the Browns own a high pick in the draft. James Brizuela, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 While employees may resist these changes, commercial leasing companies could see a silver lining, as office occupancy rates rebound after the pandemic's decline. William Arruda, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 The silver lining of analyzing the most expensive disasters allows scientists and emergency managers to learn from them, Smith added. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 28 Dec. 2024 The silver lining is that the stock now has dropped back down to a confluence of support, which has helped its short-term risk/return ratio. Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for silver lining 

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase "every cloud has a silver lining"

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silver lining was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near silver lining

Cite this Entry

“Silver lining.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver%20lining. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

silver lining

noun
: a consoling or hopeful prospect
looked for the silver lining in a bad situation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!