silky
Americanadjective
-
silkier,
comparative
-
silkiest
superlative
-
of or like silk; smooth, lustrous, soft, or delicate.
silky skin.
-
Botany. covered with fine, soft, closely set hairs, as a leaf.
adjective
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resembling silk in texture; glossy
-
made of silk
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(of a voice, manner, etc) suave; smooth
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botany covered with long fine soft hairs
silky leaves
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of silky
Explanation
Silky is an adjective describing something smooth, soft, and glossy — like your friend's silky hair or the silky fabric of a formal gown. Silky is a textural description, and it can be used to describe food, fabric, or hair. The word can also be used to describe vocal textures, as well. Someone might say about Frank Sinatra, "His silky smooth voice and his innovative lyrics will be around for quite some time."
Vocabulary lists containing silky
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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Unit 4: Powerful Openings
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American Street
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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.
See Examples For:
Subtle and savory, with pretty aromas of rose and fennel, a silky mineral mouth feel and flavors including ripe red cherry, wild strawberry and a hint of fresh herbs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
Rice noodles are tossed in a glossy dressing of tomato paste, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, Sriracha, rice wine vinegar and just enough Kewpie mayonnaise to give everything a silky sheen.
From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026
He was only 5ft 6in at 16 - a "silky number 10" as he put it.
From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026
Some of his most popular designs are the backless halter tops with an elastic chest and waist area trimmed with a silky lace, as well as scrunched crop-top jerseys.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026
I run my fingers across the silky fabric, careful not to wrinkle it again.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
The fragrance of rose makes hair seem silkier, for instance.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 9, 2026
The summer cousin of apple butter, but richer somehow — silkier, sun-drunk.
From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2025
"Remy hair has aligned cuticles, hair flows uniformly in one direction, which leads to less tangling and a silkier texture. This is high-value hair," says George Cherion, the company's chief executive.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2025
For the consumer, koji means a rounder, silkier, sweeter brew.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 11, 2022
"Why not Holliday?" countered Dunham, his voice silkier still.
From Winner Take All by Larry Evans
It’s a middle-of-the-spectrum, Goldilocks option — not the firmest or the floppiest, neither the silkiest nor the craggiest, but it will slide comfortably on the boards, which have been playing on the slow side.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 11, 2022
When stirred into risottos and pastas just before serving, mascarpone melts into the silkiest, luxurious one-ingredient sauce.
From Salon ● Apr. 10, 2022
But for the silkiest texture, it’s best to pass the puréed soup through a fine-mesh sieve.
From New York Times ● Aug. 27, 2021
But at times, his handsome face thoughtful, he sounds as smooth as the silkiest politician.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2015
Victoria, one of the silkiest, featheriest hatted, people thought I was cool and quirky?
From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon
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.
