How Do You Spell SILK?

Pronunciation: [sˈɪlk] (IPA)

The word "silk" is spelled with four letters, but it contains three distinct vowel sounds. The first sound is an "i" as in "sit" (/sɪlk/), which is followed by a sound that is somewhere between an "e" and an "i" as in "feet" (/sɛlk/). Finally, the word ends with a sound that is similar to an "uh" as in "up" (/sɪlk/). Despite the complexity of its spelling, "silk" is a common word that refers to a luxurious fabric made by silkworms.

SILK Meaning and Definition

  1. Silk is a luxurious and highly valued natural textile material that is produced by the silkworm during its metamorphosis from larvae to a moth. Made up of long, fine threads spun by the silkworm using special glands, silk has been cultivated for thousands of years for its exquisite quality and soft, lustrous appearance. Its distinctive properties make it a coveted fabric for various applications, including clothing, upholstery, and accessories.

    Typically, the term "silk" refers to the specific fabric derived from the silkworm's cocoon. However, it is also used more broadly to encompass any fabric or textile that closely resembles the properties of traditional silk, regardless of the source material. Synthetic silk-like materials, such as polyester and rayon, are often referred to as "silk" owing to their similar sheen and smooth texture.

    Silk is renowned for its remarkable qualities, including its natural temperature regulation, excellent breathability, and notable strength. It is known to possess an elegant drape that accentuates the contours of the body, making it a preferred choice for high-end fashion garments. Additionally, silk is valued for its hypoallergenic properties, as it is resistant to common allergens, including dust mites and mold.

    Due to its intricate and labor-intensive production process, as well as its limited availability, silk is often considered a luxury fabric. The cultivation and manufacturing of silk involve delicate and precise techniques, such as the careful unraveling of the cocoon and the spinning of the silk threads into a continuous filament. This artistry, combined with the resultant fabric's superb quality, has made silk an esteemed material throughout history.

  2. • The fine glossy filament or thread produced by certain caterpillars; the thread or cloth made of it.
    • Pert. to or consisting of silk.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SILK *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SILK

Etymology of SILK

The word "silk" originated from the Old English term "sylc", which was derived from the Latin word "sericum". This Latin term was ultimately derived from the Greek word "serikos", meaning "silken" or "made of silk". The Greek word "serikos" is believed to have been borrowed from an eastern Mediterranean language (possibly Assyrian or Persian) where silk production was prevalent.

Idioms with the word SILK

  • take silk The idiom "take silk" refers to when a barrister is appointed as a Queen's Counsel (QC) in England and Wales. "Taking silk" primarily means receiving the status of a senior barrister who is authorized to wear a silk gown in court instead of the usual junior barrister's gown, which is made of cotton. It symbolizes a significant milestone in a barrister's career, signifying their elevated status and recognition as a distinguished legal professional.
  • hit the silk The idiom "hit the silk" refers to the act of parachuting or jumping out of an aircraft using a parachute. It originated during World War II when pilots would use silk parachutes. The phrase implies the act of quickly and abruptly escaping from a dangerous or risky situation.
  • make a silk purse out of a sow's ear The idiom "make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" means to transform or improve something of low quality or value into something much better or more valuable. It implies the act of turning an object, idea, or situation that is typically undesirable or subpar into something exceptional or impressive through skill, effort, or innovation.
  • you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear The idiom "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" means that it is impossible to turn something of low quality or little value into something refined or excellent. It emphasizes the limitations of trying to improve or transform something inherently inferior.
  • can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear The idiom "can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" means that it is impossible to make something beautiful or refined out of inferior or poorly made materials. It suggests that no matter how hard you try or how skilled you are, you cannot turn something of low quality into something exceptional.
  • as smooth as silk/a baby's bottom The idiom "as smooth as silk/a baby's bottom" means being exceptionally smooth or lacking any roughness or imperfections. It typically implies a feeling of softness, ease, or flawlessness.
  • (as) smooth as silk The idiom "(as) smooth as silk" is used to describe something that is very smooth, soft, or flawless in texture, appearance, or performance. It implies that the activity or object mentioned is free from any difficulty, obstruction, or irregularity, and is executed effortlessly or without any apparent issues.
  • You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear The idiom "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" means that it is impossible to turn something of poor quality or low value into something of high quality or great value. It emphasizes that one cannot transform something inherently inferior into something superior, regardless of effort or skill.
  • make a silk purse of a sow's ear The idiom "make a silk purse of a sow's ear" refers to the act of trying to turn something of poor quality or little value into something impressive or valuable. It signifies the attempt to transform or improve a seemingly worthless or substandard thing into something exceptional or desirable.
  • silk-stocking district An affluent and wealthy neighborhood or area, typically characterized by the presence of luxury homes, high-end shops, and upscale amenities.
  • black-silk barge The idiom "black-silk barge" refers to someone or something that is elegant, sophisticated, and alluring. It usually describes a person's demeanor, appearance, or style as being refined and classy.

Similar spelling words for SILK

Plural form of SILK is SILKS

Conjugate verb Silk

CONDITIONAL

I would silk
you would silk
he/she/it would silk
we would silk
they would silk

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be silking
you would be silking
he/she/it would be silking
we would be silking
they would be silking

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have silk
you would have silk
he/she/it would have silk
we would have silk
they would have silk

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been silking
you would have been silking
he/she/it would have been silking
we would have been silking
they would have been silking

FUTURE

I will silk
you will silk
he/she/it will silk
we will silk
they will silk

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be silking
you will be silking
he/she/it will be silking
we will be silking
they will be silking

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have silked
you will have silked
he/she/it will have silked
we will have silked
they will have silked

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been silking
you will have been silking
he/she/it will have been silking
we will have been silking
they will have been silking

IMPERATIVE

you silk
we let´s silk

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to silk

PAST

I silked
you silked
he/she/it silked
we silked
they silked

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was silking
you were silking
he/she/it was silking
we were silking
they were silking

PAST PARTICIPLE

silked

PAST PERFECT

I had silked
you had silked
he/she/it had silked
we had silked
they had silked

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been silking
you had been silking
he/she/it had been silking
we had been silking
they had been silking

PRESENT

I silk
you silk
he/she/it silks
we silk
they silk

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am silking
you are silking
he/she/it is silking
we are silking
they are silking

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

silking

PRESENT PERFECT

I have silked
you have silked
he/she/it has silked
we have silked
they have silked

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been silking
you have been silking
he/she/it has been silking
we have been silking
they have been silking

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