silken

adjective

silk·​en ˈsil-kən 

1

: made or consisting of silk

2

: resembling silk: such as

a

: soft, lustrous

b(1)

: agreeably smooth : harmonious

a silken voice

(2)

: suave, ingratiating

3

a

: dressed in silk

silken ankles

b

: having a richly luxurious quality

the same silken surroundings encountered at the restaurant's far more expensive evening meal

—Elaine Tait

Synonyms

• cottony
• downy
• satin
• satiny
• silklike
• silky
• soft
• velvetlike
• velvety

Examples of silken in a Sentence

the silken texture of the synthetic fabric

she was unaccustomed to living in such silken surroundings

Recent Examples on the Web

While some silken pieces are emblazoned with animal prints others are created with sequins throughout. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Dec. 2024

Murphy’s silken melodies coast under Graham Sayle’s coarse dispatches, while a skittering snare beat propels everything forward. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024

Prasad unearths evidence that one of the earliest city builders, the Indus Valley Civilization (7,000 BCE to 3,500 BCE), wove silken garments. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

On the palate, notes of fresh tobacco, tart citrus and white cedar are accompanied by a remarkable silken mouthfeel. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

silken

adjective

silk·​en ˈsil-kən 

1

: made of or with silk

2

: resembling silk especially in soft smooth feel

3

: pleasantly smooth

a silken voice