satin
Americannoun
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a fabric in a warp-effect or filling-effect satin weave, as acetate, rayon, nylon, or silk, often having a glossy face and a soft, slippery texture.
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a dress or other garment of satin.
She wore her green satin.
adjective
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of or like satin; smooth; glossy.
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made of or covered or decorated with satin.
a satin pillow.
noun
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a fabric of silk, rayon, etc, closely woven to show much of the warp, giving a smooth glossy appearance
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(modifier) of or like satin in texture
a satin finish
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of satin
1325–75; Middle English satyn ( e ) < Middle French satin, probably < Arabic ( aṭlas ) zaytūnī (satin) of Zaitun a city in China where the cloth was made, probably Tsinkiang
Explanation
Satin is a soft and shiny type of fabric. Satin is commonly used to make nightgowns, dresses, baseball jackets, and even fancy bed sheets. You can identify a material as satin from its dull back and glossy front. This is a result of the way satin is woven, from fibers made of silk, rayon, or polyester. Sometimes bed sheets and upholstery are also made from satin. The word satin was originally Old French, believed to come from the Arabic zaytuni, and be influenced by the Latin word seta, both meaning "satin."
Vocabulary lists containing satin
Bill Withers (1938–2020) Tribute List
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Out Of Whole Cloth: Material Words
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Fabulous Fabrics
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On the floor was a single mattress, low to the ground, with carnation-pink satin sheets.
From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026
But with a ballet core wardrobe, I can dress like one anyway, play the part of sophisticated dancer — sophisticated woman — in my spandex and satin.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
Booysen also had several outfit changes throughout the day, including a white mini dress with a sparkly bodice and feathered skirt for cutting the cake, and an off-the-shoulder satin look for later in the evening.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The men, with their hands wrapped in satin white gloves, each held identical 14-karat gold rings for their betrothed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026
A coverlet of downfilled satin slid aside as Ged sat up, and he saw himself clothed in a tunic of silk and cloth-of-silver like a lord.
From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
