silverware
gb/sˈɪlvɚwˌɛɹ/ us/sˈɪlvɚwˌɛɹ/
A2
English
evőeszköz, ezüstnemű, trófea
NOUN
A2
1
evőeszköz
A2
Usage pattern:
[a set of] silverware; the silverware
I put the silverware in the drawer after it dried.
Miután megszáradtak, betettem az evőeszközöket a fiókba.
Can you set the table and put out the silverware?
Megterítenél, és kiraknád az evőeszközöket?
We bought new silverware when we moved into our apartment.
Learner examples
The silverware is in the drawer.
Az evőeszközök a fiókban vannak.
I need a fork from the silverware.
Szükségem van egy villára az evőeszközök közül.
Common mistake:
In British English, this is usually called cutlery; silverware is more common in American English and does not always mean it is made of silver.
Meaning
knives, forks, and spoons
Collocations
a set of silverware
|stainless-steel silverware
|plastic silverware
|wash the silverware
|dry the silverware
|put away the silverware
|polish the silverware
|the good silverware
|everyday silverware
|silverware drawer
Synonyms
cutlery (More common in British English.)
|
flatware (Common in American English, especially in retail.)
|
utensils (Broader term that can include cooking tools too.)
Antonyms
disposables (Single-use eating items such as plastic forks and spoons.)
Themes
food
|home
|daily_life
Definition
the knives, forks, and spoons you eat with
Knives, forks, spoons, and similar eating utensils, especially as a set for a household or a meal.
NOUN
B1
2
ezüstnemű
B2
Usage pattern:
sterling silverware; family silverware
They brought out the silverware for the holiday dinner.
Az ünnepi vacsorára elővették az ezüstneműt.
The antique dealer offered to appraise her silverware.
A régiségkereskedő felajánlotta, hogy felbecsüli az ezüstneműjét.
We inherited a small set of silverware from my grandmother.
Learner examples
This silverware is made of silver.
Ez az ezüstnemű ezüstből készült.
We only use the silverware on special days.
Az ezüstneműt csak különleges alkalmakkor használjuk.
Common mistake:
This meaning is specific: in everyday American English, silverware can also mean any eating utensils, even if they are stainless steel.
Meaning
tableware made of silver
Collocations
sterling silverware
|silver-plated silverware
|antique silverware
|family silverware
|engraved silverware
|a silverware set
|a silverware chest
|inherit silverware
|keep the silverware locked up
|clean the silverware
Synonyms
silver (Often refers to valuable household silver as a category (e.g., 'the family silver').)
|
table silver (More specific and somewhat formal.)
Antonyms
stainless-steel flatware (Non-silver modern utensils.)
Themes
home
|shopping
|materials
Definition
knives, forks, and serving pieces made of silver
Table utensils and serving pieces made of silver or silver-plated metal, often kept as valuable household items.
NOUN
B2
3
trófea
B2
Usage pattern:
win silverware; lift the silverware
After years of near misses, the team finally won some silverware.
Miután éveken át csak hajszál híján maradtak le, a csapat végre trófeát nyert.
They ended the season without silverware despite a strong start.
Az erős kezdés ellenére trófea nélkül zárták a szezont.
The new coach was hired to deliver silverware quickly.
Learner examples
The team won silverware this year.
A csapat idén trófeát nyert.
Common mistake:
This is usually plural in meaning and is most common in sports talk; it does not refer to forks and knives in this context.
Meaning
trophies won in sports
Collocations
win silverware
|a chance at silverware
|bring home silverware
|add silverware to the cabinet
|major silverware
|domestic silverware
|European silverware
|end the season without silverware
|lift the silverware
|silverware drought
Synonyms
trophies (The direct, literal term.)
|
hardware (More informal sports slang.)
Antonyms
no trophies (Opposite outcome: winning nothing.)
Themes
sports
|competition
|media
Definition
trophies that a team wins
Trophies or major prizes won in sports or competitions, viewed collectively.
Grammar
Dictionary form
silverware
IPA
GB/sˈɪlvɚwˌɛɹ/
US/sˈɪlvɚwˌɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
sil - ver - ware (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sil)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: silverware
- Plural: silverware
Expressions
bring home the silverware
1/bɹˈɪŋ hˈoʊm ðə sˈɪlvɚwˌɛɹ/
idiom
win trophies or prizes
to win a trophy
Examples
- They have the talent, but they still need to bring home the silverware.
- The club spent big this summer to bring home the silverware.
- Everyone celebrated when the team finally brought home the silverware.
Learner examples
- We hope our team brings home the silverware.
count the silverware
1/kˈaʊnt ðə sˈɪlvɚwˌɛɹ/
idiom
informal
suspect someone may steal
to think someone might steal
Examples
- My uncle made a nasty comment about counting the silverware after they left.
- If you invite him over, you’ll be counting the silverware afterward.
- She hates how some neighbors act like they need to count the silverware when new people visit.
polish the silverware
1/pˈoʊlɪʃ ðə sˈɪlvɚwˌɛɹ/
fixed phrase
clean metal utensils until shiny
to clean silverware and make it shine
Examples
- She polished the silverware before the anniversary dinner.
- We spent the afternoon polishing the silverware and setting the table.
- He never remembers to polish the silverware, so it looks dull.
Learner examples
- I polished the silverware for the party.
put out the silverware
1/pˈʊt ˈaʊt ðə sˈɪlvɚwˌɛɹ/
fixed phrase
place utensils on the table
to put forks, knives, and spoons on the table
Examples
- Can you put out the silverware while I finish cooking?
- We put out the silverware and napkins before the guests arrived.
- Don’t forget to put out the silverware for everyone.
Learner examples
- I will put out the silverware.