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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The silver lining Ultimately, although this scandal has sent shock waves through Southeast Asia’s startup scene, industry experts agree that there is a silver lining: the lessons learned. Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025 There are two silver linings to Trinity’s 12 o’clock hour. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025 There is a silver lining; if one of the G2 boys says something inflammatory online, Isma has a perfect example to show them what the consequences could be. Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2025 There, however, remains a silver lining: the guard trio of Liam Eichenberg, Robert Jones and Isaiah Wynn are currently free agents, meaning that Miami has a chance to secure their interior offensive linemen of the future. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for silver lining 

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 22 Feb. 2025.

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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