Velvet is soft material made from cotton, silk, or nylon, which has a thick layer of short cut threads on one side.
...a charcoal-gray overcoat with a velvet collar.
She looked pretty and rather fragile, dressed in black velvet.
velvet in British English
(ˈvɛlvɪt)
noun
1.
a.
a fabric of silk, cotton, nylon, etc, with a thick close soft usually lustrous pile
b.
(as modifier)
velvet curtains
2.
anything with a smooth soft surface
3.
a.
smoothness; softness
b.
(as modifier)
velvet skin
a velvet night
4.
the furry covering of the newly formed antlers of a deer
5. slang, mainly US
a.
gambling or speculative winnings
b.
a gain, esp when unexpectedly high
6. velvet glove
Derived forms
velvet-like (ˈvelvet-ˌlike)
adjective
velvety (ˈvelvety)
adjective
Word origin
C14: veluet, from Old French veluotte, from velu hairy, from Vulgar Latin villutus (unattested), from Latin villus shaggy hair
velvet in American English
(ˈvɛlvət)
noun
1.
a rich fabric as of silk, rayon, or nylon with a soft, thick pile: pile velvet has the pile uncut, standing in loops, and cut velvet has the loops cut apart
2.
anything with a surface like that of velvet
3.
a soft, vascular skin on a deer's growing antlers
4. US, Slang, Obsolete
extra or clear profit or winnings; gain
adjective
5.
made of or covered with velvet
6.
smooth or soft like velvet
Word origin
ME < OFr veluotte < VL villutus < L villus, shaggy hair: see wool
Examples of 'velvet' in a sentence
velvet
The chances are that a velvet jacket will suit the trousers you were wearing to work that day.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For some years afterwards, our tatty red velvet curtains were still hanging in the upstairs window.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The chalet has a relaxed, cosy feel, with velvet sofas and a roaring fire.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Where I'm going to wear my velvet jacket is another matter.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In a large tent tribal elders sat on faux velvet sofas.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Key pieces include dark velvet wrap jackets and flannel trousers.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
These are infused with rich colours and come with flowing velvet curtains.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They watch as ladies in velvet and silk dresses walk past.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He disliked velvet collars and long hair.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Or preferably a heavily lined velvet curtain.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The next day she was dressed from head to foot in silk and velvet.
Hans Christian Andersen Andersen's Fairy Tales (1874)
All that was missing was a drum roll and a velvet curtain.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It was made of soft red velvet, trimmed with white fur.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In luxurious cotton velvet, with a quilted satin lining and leather sole and heel.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There's also a snug lounge with plush velvet sofas and lilies.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The men wore velvet jackets that featured lapels like a fighter jet's wings.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He looked at her, his voice as soft as a velvet glove.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Women fought over his silk handkerchiefs and velvet gloves, ripping them to shreds in hysteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The grandeur is tempered by contemporary touches: sofas are vibrant velvet and walls are decked with modern artworks.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Team lace with silk, leather with wool or velvet with cotton for an instant on-trend outfit.
The Sun (2014)
They are incredibly comfortable, with velvet sofas and armchairs, and wide beds.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Some of them are like precious gems, shimmering as the light catches them, as enticing as soft crushed velvet.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He has said so again and again, indeed, and while wearing a velvet jacket and strutting about the place.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Word lists with
velvet
fabric
In other languages
velvet
British English: velvet /ˈvɛlvɪt/ NOUN
Velvet is a soft fabric with a thick layer of short cut threads on one side.
American English: velvet
Arabic: قَطِيفَة
Brazilian Portuguese: veludo
Chinese: 天鹅绒
Croatian: baršun
Czech: samet
Danish: fløjl
Dutch: fluweel
European Spanish: terciopelo
Finnish: sametti
French: velours
German: Samt
Greek: βελούδο
Italian: velluto
Japanese: ビロード
Korean: 벨벳
Norwegian: fløyel
Polish: aksamit
European Portuguese: veludo
Romanian: catifea
Russian: бархат
Latin American Spanish: terciopelo
Swedish: sammet
Thai: ผ้ากำมะหยี่
Turkish: kadife
Ukrainian: оксамит
Vietnamese: vải nhung
All related terms of 'velvet'
velvet ant
a solitary digger wasp of the family Mutillidae
velvet bean
a coarse , twining , leguminous annual vine ( Stizolobium deeringianum ) grown for forage
black velvet
a mixture of stout and champagne in equal proportions
velvet glove
gentleness or caution , often concealing strength or determination (esp in the phrase an iron fist or hand in a velvet glove )
velvet scoter
a European sea duck , Melanitta fusca, the male of which has a black plumage with white patches below the eyes and on the wings
velvet shank
a bright yellow edible basidiomycetous fungus , Flammulina velutipes, common on trunks , stumps , or branches of broad-leaved trees in winter
velvet stout
a mixture of stout and champagne in equal proportions
crushed velvet
velvet with a flat finish that has a creased effect
velvet revolution
the peaceful overthrow of Czechoslovakia's communist government in late 1989
an iron fist in a velvet glove
a cruel and unyielding attitude or approach concealed by apparent gentleness