velvet

American  

[vel-vit] / ˈvɛl vɪt /

noun

1. a fabric of silk, nylon, acetate, rayon, etc., sometimes having a cotton backing, with a thick, soft pile formed of loops of the warp thread either cut at the outer end or left uncut.

2. something likened to the fabric velvet, as in softness or texture.

   the velvet of her touch; the velvet of the lawn.

3. the soft, deciduous covering of a growing antler.

4. Informal. a very pleasant, luxurious, desirable situation.

5. Informal.

   1. money gained through gambling; winnings.

   2. clear gain or profit, especially when more than anticipated.

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adjective

1. Also velveted. made of velvet or covered with velvet.

2. Also velvetlike resembling or suggesting velvet; smooth; soft; velvety.

   a velvet night; a cat's velvet fur.

velvet British  

/ ˈvɛlvɪt /

noun

1. 1. a fabric of silk, cotton, nylon, etc, with a thick close soft usually lustrous pile

   2. ( as modifier )

      velvet curtains

2. anything with a smooth soft surface

3. 1. smoothness; softness

   2. ( as modifier )

      velvet skin

      a velvet night

4. the furry covering of the newly formed antlers of a deer

5. slang

   1. gambling or speculative winnings

   2. a gain, esp when unexpectedly high

6. gentleness or caution, often concealing strength or determination (esp in the phrase an iron fist or hand in a velvet glove )

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velvet Idioms  

1. see under iron hand.

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Other Word Forms

• velvet-like
  adjective
• velvety
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of velvet

1275–1325; Middle English velvet, veluet, veluwet < Old French veluotte, equivalent to velu (< Medieval Latin vil ( l ) ūtus; Latin vill ( us ) shaggy nap ( cf. villus) + Late Latin -ūtus for Latin -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -otte noun suffix

Explanation

Use the noun velvet to describe a plush, smooth fabric that is used to make elegant dresses and fancy drapes. Velvet has historically been a rich, expensive fabric, made on special looms most often from silk. It is plain on the back, thick and soft on the front, and its texture has led to the word's use as an adjective to describe something soft and smooth, like a dog's velvet ear. Even a rich, smooth singing voice can be described as velvet. The Latin root, villus, simply means "shaggy cloth" or "tuft of hair."

Example Sentences

There’s that adage about the Velvet Underground, how they only sold 10,000 copies of their first album, but every one of the 10,000 people who bought it went out and started their own band.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

This was the case last year with the viral band Velvet Sundown that was revealed to be fully AI.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

Since they first opened in 2006, Flores and Lopez have always specialized in rock, punk and alternative — carrying bands like the Velvet Underground, the Smiths, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Suede.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

Nevertheless, sifting through these can reveal surprising individual talents, as in the case of Mónica Mays at Blue Velvet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

I flip straight to the album I want— The Velvet Underground &Nico.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García

Related Words

• velvety