Satin is a smooth, shiny kind of cloth, usually made from silk.
...a peach satin ribbon.
...stylish dresses in silks and satins.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If something such as a paint, wax, or cosmetic gives something a satin finish, it reflects light to some extent but is not very shiny.
The final stage of waxing left it with a satin sheen.
satin in British English
(ˈsætɪn)
noun
1.
a fabric of silk, rayon, etc, closely woven to show much of the warp, giving a smooth glossy appearance
2. (modifier)
of or like satin in texture
a satin finish
Derived forms
satin-like (ˈsatin-ˌlike)
adjective
satiny (ˈsatiny)
adjective
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Arabic zaitūnī of Zaytūn, Arabic rendering of Chinese Tseutung (now Tsinkiang), port in southern China from which the cloth was probably first exported
satin in American English
(ˈsætən)
noun
1.
a fabric of silk, nylon, rayon, or the like having a smooth finish, glossy on the face and dull on the back
adjective
2.
made of or like satin; smooth, soft, and glossy
Derived forms
satiny (ˈsatiny)
adjective
Word origin
ME < MFr < Sp setuni < Ar (aṭlas) zaitūnī, (satin) of Zaitūn, medieval name of Quanzhou, China
Examples of 'satin' in a sentence
satin
The dual texture will give the dense pigments of a matte lippy plus a plump satin finish.
The Sun (2014)
Satin white and as elegant as they come.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It could be the lack of pink satin ribbons to tie round my ankle for the pas de deux.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Swap satin for scuba fabric and add a futuristic bag for a clean, modern look.
The Sun (2014)
Nights in white satin This jacket is so lightweight you can wear it as a top.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Something that comes in a pleasing box, with a shiny satin ribbon.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It was like a grey satin ribbon between the dusky green silk of the meadows that were on each side of its banks.
E. Nesbit The Railway Children (1906)
It was dressed from head to foot in red and gold, and lay on a soft bed of white satin.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
If you prefer a final surface quality somewhere between gloss and matt you can mix the gloss varnish with the matt to form a more satin finish.
Bulgin, Sally Acrylics Masterclass (1994)
Choose from 14 colours in satin or gloss finish, sleek white or grey glass.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It comes with five special colours, dark tinted windows, alloy wheels and satin chrome finishes to door handles.
The Sun (2012)
I know all there is to know about sewing pink shiny ribbons at a specific angle on to satin ballet shoes for the Imperial ballet exams.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Word lists with
satin
fabric
In other languages
satin
British English: satin NOUN
Satin is a smooth, shiny kind of cloth, usually made from silk.
...a peach satin ribbon.
American English: satin
Brazilian Portuguese: cetim
Chinese: 缎子
European Spanish: raso
French: satin
German: Satin
Italian: raso
Japanese: サテン
Korean: 공단
European Portuguese: cetim
Latin American Spanish: raso
British English: satin ADJECTIVE
If something such as a paint, wax, or cosmetic gives something a satin finish, it reflects light to some extent but is not very shiny.
The final stage of waxing left it with a satin sheen.
American English: satin
Brazilian Portuguese: acetinado
Chinese: 缎子般光泽的
European Spanish: de raso
French: satiné
German: Satin-
Italian: satinato
Japanese: サテンの
Korean: 매끄러운
European Portuguese: acetinado
Latin American Spanish: de raso
All related terms of 'satin'
satin weave
one of the basic weave structures in which the filling threads are interlaced with the warp at widely separated intervals , producing the effect of an unbroken surface
satin-smooth
pleasantly soft and smooth, like satin
satin stitch
an embroidery stitch consisting of rows of flat stitches placed close together
satin walnut
the brown heartwood of the sweet gum tree, used for furniture , fittings , and panelling
slipper satin
a fine satin fabric with a mat finish
satin bowerbird
the largest Australian bowerbird , Ptilonorhynchus violaceus , the male of which has lustrous blue plumage
Chinese translation of 'satin'
satin
(ˈsætɪn)
n(u)
缎(緞)子 (duànzi)
cpd
[ribbon, dress]缎(緞)子 (duànzi)
with a satin finish有缎(緞)子光泽(澤) (yǒu duànzi guāngzé)