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.
As those buildings empty, there could be at least a small silver lining for some properties around them. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 June 2025 However, Fever head coach Stephanie White said there is a silver lining to Clark not being able to play. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025 European Cruise Itineraries Can Surprise You There’s a silver lining to these distant ports. David Nikel, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025 However, there is one big silver lining for New York as the two sides get ready for Game 3. Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Silver lining.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver%20lining. Accessed 17 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!