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 ( 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

The 23 senators present donned maroon velvet robes Monday and swore to "do impartial justice according to the constitution and the laws of the Philippines" at the trial.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

I scraped the whole mixture into my mini blender with a splash of water and blitzed it into a deep orange paste the color of late autumn leaves or a very expensive velvet couch.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

Amy Nicholson: Josh, I’m glad you whisked this conversation through the velvet ropes and straight to that question of: Have American movies gotten worse since Cannes premiered “Kung Fu Panda” in 2008?

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Elsewhere on the first floor, there is a magnificent movie room that is adorned in red velvet and boasts a fireplace and large projector.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Penelope tugged at the red velvet cape she now wore and drew it close ’round her shoulders as she made a hasty beeline for the exit.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• velvety