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 ( villus ) + Late Latin -ūtus for Latin -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -otte noun suffix

Example Sentences

Catherine, wearing a pink and white gown with a burgundy velvet belt which matched William's suit jacket, said she saw the Shakespeare drama on Saturday.

From BBC

There is always another velvet rope in Hollywood.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dress skaters in spandex, power mesh and stretch velvet, and they’ll move like they do in training.

From Los Angeles Times

Deluxe-theater owners had modeled their palaces after opera houses and temples, complete with velvet drapes, gilt ceilings and live orchestras.

From The Wall Street Journal

The boys dive for a velvet armchair and tussle for a moment before realizing they both fit.

From Literature

Related Words

• velvety