silken

adjective

silk·​en ˈsil-kən 

1

: made or consisting of silk

2

: resembling silk: such as

a

: soft, lustrous

b(1)

: agreeably smooth : harmonious

a silken voice

(2)

: suave, ingratiating

3

a

: dressed in silk

silken ankles

b

: having a richly luxurious quality

the same silken surroundings encountered at the restaurant's far more expensive evening meal

—Elaine Tait

Synonyms

• cottony
• downy
• satin
• satiny
• silklike
• silky
• soft
• velvetlike
• velvety

Examples of silken in a Sentence

the silken texture of the synthetic fabric

she was unaccustomed to living in such silken surroundings

Recent Examples on the Web

The silicone material is both silken tofu-levels of soft and body-safe. —Mary Frances Knapp, refinery29.com, 1 Oct. 2024

Few hotels pay so much attention to historical details as this sprawling Irish-Georgian estate, which doubles as a grand 20-bedroom hotel, its spectacular silken interiors restored by Colin Orchard. —Delilah Khomo, theweek, 11 Oct. 2024

Much of this collection toyed between office-appropriate garments such as trousers, silken dresses, and strong outerwear–these arrivals were juxtaposed with colorful sweater sets and also frilly textures seen on skirts, coats and beyond. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 23 Sep. 2024

Or, instead, add a high-protein ingredient such as silken tofu, Greek yogurt, kefir or a nut butter. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

silken

adjective

silk·​en ˈsil-kən 

1

: made of or with silk

2

: resembling silk especially in soft smooth feel

3

: pleasantly smooth

a silken voice