silky

[ sil-kee ]

adjective

, silk·i·er, silk·i·est.

1. of or like silk; smooth, lustrous, soft, or delicate:

   silky skin.

2. Botany. covered with fine, soft, closely set hairs, as a leaf.

silky

/ ˈsɪlkɪ /

adjective

1. resembling silk in texture; glossy
2. made of silk
3. (of a voice, manner, etc) suave; smooth
4. botany covered with long fine soft hairs

   silky leaves

Derived Forms

• ˈsilkily, adverb
• ˈsilkiness, noun

Other Words From

• silki·ly adverb
• silki·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of silky¹

First recorded in 1605–15; silk + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Co-written by Foster, Jay Graydon and Bill Champlin — and sung with silky finesse by Earth, Wind & Fire mastermind Maurice White — this complicated ballad from the band’s double-platinum “I Am” album earned Foster the first of his 16 Grammy Awards.

From Los Angeles Times

They would replumb the hot springs to take advantage of the alkaline water’s “silky texture,” refill the lake, recruit a veteran general manager for the hotel and use the houses as vacation rentals, including two with their own soaking tubs.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s switched out her silky bandanna top for a more comfortably fitted baby pink tee.

From Los Angeles Times

From Callum McGregor's piledriver, to Maeda's neat nod and Adam Idah's finish following a silky move, the Scottish champions were on another level.

From BBC

He cut the vocals for the glistening, Michael Jackson-ish “Temptations” in “a f—ing closet” and sang “Thought You Were the One,” a silky slow jam, while on vacation in Hawaii with his mother.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• delicate
• glossy
• luxurious
• plush
• satiny
• silken
• sleek
• soft
• velvety