silver lining

noun

: a consoling or hopeful prospect

Examples of silver lining in a Sentence

If there's a silver lining to losing my job, it's that I'll now be able to go to school full-time and finish my degree earlier.
Recent Examples on the Web There might be silver linings hidden in the chaos, or even a sense of relief. Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 June 2024 The silver lining is that closer collaboration between the U.S. and its allies will be a boost to the private space sector. Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Fortune Europe, 25 June 2024 Perhaps the biggest silver lining from the loss was that Houston had to pitch Abreu for the third time in four days and use five relievers overall. Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2024 These young people don’t want adults to offer silver linings, unsolicited advice or empty gestures that all too often feel self-serving. Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 19 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for silver lining 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'silver lining.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase "every cloud has a silver lining"

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silver lining was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near silver lining

Cite this Entry

“Silver lining.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver%20lining. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

silver lining

noun
: a consoling or hopeful prospect
looked for the silver lining in a bad situation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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