Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for velvet

velvet

[ vel-vit ]

noun

  1. 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.
  2. something likened to the fabric velvet, as in softness or texture:

    the velvet of her touch; the velvet of the lawn.

  3. the soft, deciduous covering of a growing antler.
  4. Informal. a very pleasant, luxurious, desirable situation.
  5. Informal.
    1. money gained through gambling; winnings.
    2. clear gain or profit, especially when more than anticipated.


adjective

  1. Also velvet·ed. made of velvet or covered with velvet.
  2. Also velvet·like. resembling or suggesting velvet; smooth; soft; velvety:

    a velvet night; a cat's velvet fur.

velvet

/ ˈvɛlvɪt /

noun

    1. a fabric of silk, cotton, nylon, etc, with a thick close soft usually lustrous pile
    2. ( as modifier )

      velvet curtains

  1. anything with a smooth soft surface
    1. smoothness; softness
    2. ( as modifier )

      a velvet night

      velvet skin

  2. the furry covering of the newly formed antlers of a deer
  3. slang.
    1. gambling or speculative winnings
    2. a gain, esp when unexpectedly high
  4. velvet glove
    gentleness or caution, often concealing strength or determination (esp in the phrase an iron fist or hand in a velvet glove )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈvelvet-ˌlike, adjective
  • ˈvelvety, adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of velvet1

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
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of velvet1

C14: veluet, from Old French veluotte, from velu hairy, from Vulgar Latin villutus (unattested), from Latin villus shaggy hair
Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

see under iron hand .
Discover More

Example Sentences

A plush, red velvet fauteuil tucked into the lower right corner of the picture is like an upscale launching pad, which has propelled the man to the balustrade along a tall French window.

Surrounded by an abundance of velvet furniture and dimly lit portraiture, the “Guilty Conscious” singer was in Los Angeles during a quick break from her world tour.

The current view is not much: Putricia stands silent and tall in front of a brown curtain, comfortably ensconced behind a red velvet rope.

From BBC

Her black velvet dress trimmed in elaborate silver is an eye-grabber.

For the special day, Davis opted for brown suit pants and a matching velvet suit jacket.

Advertisement

Related Words

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.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


velutinousvelvet ant