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

The Velvet Underground’s John Cale represents music, Marc Jacobs stands for fashion and beloved director Martin Scorsese symbolizes film.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

Here, Corvette and the Velvet Gang realize that this is about much more than shoplifting some clothes and reselling them at a discount.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

The Velvet Gang’s aesthetic changes every sequence: preppy plaids, florals, raver neons and a swollen pink jumpsuit that makes Corvette look like a hyper-feminine Gumby.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

Dern, who won an Oscar in 2020 for Marriage Story, is also known for films such as Blue Velvet, Jurassic Park and Wild, and TV shows including Big Little Lies and Twin Peaks: The Return.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Velvet drapes hang from gilded posts tied with gossamer bows.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• velvety