velvet
Americannoun
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a fabric of silk, nylon, acetate, rayon, etc., sometimes having a cotton backing, with a thick, soft pile formed of loops of the warp thread either cut at the outer end or left uncut.
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something likened to the fabric velvet, as in softness or texture.
the velvet of her touch; the velvet of the lawn.
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the soft, deciduous covering of a growing antler.
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Informal. a very pleasant, luxurious, desirable situation.
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Informal.
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money gained through gambling; winnings.
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clear gain or profit, especially when more than anticipated.
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adjective
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Also velveted. made of velvet or covered with velvet.
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Also velvetlike resembling or suggesting velvet; smooth; soft; velvety.
a velvet night; a cat's velvet fur.
noun
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a fabric of silk, cotton, nylon, etc, with a thick close soft usually lustrous pile
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( as modifier )
velvet curtains
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anything with a smooth soft surface
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smoothness; softness
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( as modifier )
velvet skin
a velvet night
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the furry covering of the newly formed antlers of a deer
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slang
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gambling or speculative winnings
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a gain, esp when unexpectedly high
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gentleness or caution, often concealing strength or determination (esp in the phrase an iron fist or hand in a velvet glove )
Other Word Forms
- velvet-like adjective
- velvety adjective
Etymology
Origin of velvet
1275–1325; Middle English velvet, veluet, veluwet < Old French veluotte, equivalent to velu (< Medieval Latin vil ( l ) ūtus; Latin vill ( us ) shaggy nap ( villus ) + Late Latin -ūtus for Latin -ātus -ate 1 ) + -otte noun suffix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It felt narrow and dark with its thick velvet draperies and busy wallpaper.
From Literature
She received guests in her front parlor with its cranberry glass chandeliers and blue velvet curtains.
From Literature
It was Oswald the miller, fatter than ever, his girth covered in red velvet, trimmed with gold threads.
From Literature
Catherine, wearing a pink and white gown with a burgundy velvet belt which matched William's suit jacket, said she saw the Shakespeare drama on Saturday.
From BBC
There is always another velvet rope in Hollywood.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
