silken

American  

[sil-kuhn] / ˈsɪl kən /

adjective

1. made of silk.

2. like silk in smoothness, softness, glossiness, or delicateness.

3. clad in silk.

4. smoothly persuasive or ingratiating; mellifluous.

   the senator's silken oratory.

5. elegant; luxurious.

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silken British  

/ ˈsɪlkən /

adjective

1. made of silk

2. resembling silk in smoothness or gloss

3. dressed in silk

4. soft and delicate

5. rare luxurious or elegant

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Etymology

Origin of silken

before 900; Middle English; Old English seolcen. See silk, -en ²

Explanation

If something is silken, it looks or feels as soft and shiny as silk. You can also describe things that feel like silk as silken, like your long silken hair that you coat with conditioner. The silken dress worn by a bride, or a silken scarf you wind around your neck may actually be made from the soft, slightly glossy material called silk. Your friend's long, silken hair, or a horse's silken mane, on the other hand, only resemble silk. Silken comes from the Latin word for "silk," sericum.

Example Sentences

Not the silken, restaurant version piped into porcelain.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2026

He brought silken “descending dove” tone to his solo playing, but at low tone becoming more a voice from afar than soloist.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Teyana Taylor, who is up for best supporting actress for One Battle After Another, is bang on trend with the colour of her silken ruffled dress, in a deep, rich brown.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Soon after, I then discovered silken tofu, and I’d like to now consider myself a tofu fan.

From Salon • May 21, 2025

Felicia shouts, exultant, laughing and applauding his silken moves.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García

Related Words

• lustrous
• satin
• satiny
• silky