silk

1 of 2

noun

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 2

verb

silked; silking; silks

intransitive verb

of corn

: to develop the silk

Examples of silk in a Sentence

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

Noun

Roll clothes instead of folding them Delicate fabrics such as silk or linen crease quickly. —Alexandra Schöb, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2025

Expertly hand-knotted by The Rug Company’s master artisans in Nepal, the rugs are woven from a striking mix of natural materials — silk, wool, nettle and linen — layered using traditional techniques that deliver jaw-dropping texture and a sculptural quality. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025

Silk, Lingerie, and Lace Delicate fabrics like silk, lingerie, and lace require special care while washing. —Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2025

Some caterpillars fold or roll leaves together with silk to form shelters. —Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025

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

• (as) smooth as silk
• corn silk
• silk cotton
• silk cotton tree
• silk gland
• silk hat
• silk moth
• silk oak
• silk screen
• silk stocking
• silk tree
• sleave silk
• take silk
• tie silk

Rhymes for silk

• ilk
• whilk
• wilk
• buttermilk

Kids Definition

silk

noun

ˈsilk

1

: a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually to form their cocoons

especially : a strong glossy elastic fiber produced by silkworms and used to weave cloth

2

: thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk

3

: something resembling silk: as

a

: the thread produced by a spider

b

: the cluster of thin threadlike parts at the end of an ear of corn that are styles of the ovaries

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