velvet

American  

[vel-vit] / ˈvɛl vɪt /

noun

• velvets
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• velvet-like
  adjective
• velvety
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• velvets
  plural

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

See Examples For:

velvet velvets

There, the four candidates for bishop prostrated themselves before an altar, their heads buried in red velvet pillows.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

The room is anchored by a large velvet couch in a rich brown.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

Past the stalls and the sinks through another door lies plush red velvet, shadows, and the hum of 1950.

From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026

The types who would get through the velvet ropes of Studio 54.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

I landed on the claret-red velvet of his bulging evening coat.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

On Monday, Giorgio Armani also presented velvets and cashmere of green, blue and amethyst shades, four months after the death of the legendary designer aged 91.

From Barron's ● Jan. 19, 2026

Autochromes possess the light-dappled depth of Impressionist paintings, the powdery precision of pointillism, the honest blushes of butterfly cheeks, and the palpable textures of gleaming silks and gilded velvets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025

But in terms of character building, it’s tough to beat Lorraine Warren’s signature ruffled collars, tartan prints and embroidered velvets and Ed’s quasi-academic dad look.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2025

Between the pomp surrounding donning one’s holy livery, pointed glares and swishing red silks and velvets, these cassocked clergymen make bored teenagers seem kind.

From Salon ● Nov. 22, 2024

Every year, the children watched to see that coat emerge—big and shaggy and always different, sewed with new furs, patched with discarded calicos, even velvets.

From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich

Related Words

• velvety