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.
The firm is set to make more than four times the over-$160 million it invested in the company, the people said, noting that Ares’s co-founder, David Kaplan, and a partner, Allyson Satin, were personally involved.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
The wedding-themed versions featured lengthy yet witty sayings, including “Married in pink, he will take a drink,” “Married in White, you have chosen right,” and “Married in Satin, Love will not be lasting.”
From Salon • Feb. 13, 2024
Clark’s mother, Sally, who also worked for a local mill, is an artist and musician and the two played together in a group called Sagebrush and Satin, gigging around local fairs and grange halls.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 3, 2024
Former Harvard-Westlake pitcher Max Fried and former Harvard-Westlake infielder Josh Satin will be inducted in the baseball category.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2022
“Mully, help Clydas back to his chambers. The night is dark, and the paths will be slippery with snow. Satin, go with them.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions 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.
