silver lining

noun

: a consoling or hopeful prospect

Examples of silver lining in a Sentence

If there's a silver lining to losing my job, it's that I'll now be able to go to school full-time and finish my degree earlier.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Beyond that, silver linings seemed as rare as finding penguins in Death Valley. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025 Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever. Natasha Dye, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025 But for some politicians, there may be a glint of silver lining in those dark smoke clouds — an opportunity to reach out to frustrated voters with a message of change. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 14 Jan. 2025 There’s a silver lining, however: the opportunity to travel with your own TSA-friendly bottles in a way that feels more put-together than simply snagging travel-sized ones at your local CVS. Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for silver lining 

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase "every cloud has a silver lining"

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silver lining was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near silver lining

Cite this Entry

“Silver lining.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver%20lining. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

silver lining

noun
: a consoling or hopeful prospect
looked for the silver lining in a bad situation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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