velvet
gb/vˈɛlvɪt/ us/vˈɛlvɪt/
B1
English
~ 9400
bársony, bársonyos, barka, bársonyosság
NOUN
B1
1
bársony
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] made of velvet
She wore a long green velvet dress to the party.
Hosszú zöld bársonyruhát viselt a partin.
The old theater still has its original red velvet seats.
A régi színházban még mindig megvannak az eredeti vörös bársonyülések.
He ran his fingers over the velvet cushion, enjoying how soft it felt.
The designer chose navy velvet for the sofa to make the room feel more luxurious.
Learner examples
She bought a blue velvet dress.
Vett egy kék bársonyruhát.
The chair is covered in soft velvet.
A széket puha bársony borítja.
I like the feel of velvet on my skin.
They closed the heavy velvet curtains.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes treat "velvet" as a countable noun for the fabric and say *"a velvet"* when they mean the material. Use "velvet" with no article for the fabric ("The dress is made of velvet"), and make the object countable instead ("a velvet dress").
Meaning
soft thick-pile fabric
Collocations
velvet dress
|velvet jacket
|velvet sofa
|velvet curtains
|black velvet
|crushed velvet
Synonyms
plush (Often used for very soft, thick fabrics, especially for toys or upholstery; not always woven like true velvet.)
|
velour (A knit fabric that looks and feels like velvet but is usually stretchier and cheaper.)
Antonyms
burlap (A rough, coarse fabric, the opposite of velvet’s soft and luxurious feel.)
|
denim (A sturdy, relatively rough cotton fabric, contrasted with velvet’s softness and formality.)
Themes
fashion
|home
|materials
|clothing
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A very soft, thick cloth with a smooth surface on one side, used for clothes, curtains, and furniture.
A woven fabric with a dense, short, soft pile on one side, giving it a smooth, luxurious surface.
B2
2
bársonyos
B1
Usage pattern:
a velvet [noun]
The singer’s velvet voice filled the small jazz club.
Az énekes bársonyos hangja betöltötte a kis dzsesszklubot.
Her skin felt velvet and warm against his hand.
A bőre bársonyosnak és melegnek érződött a férfi keze alatt.
A velvet darkness settled over the city as the last lights went out.
The sauce should have a velvet texture with no lumps.
Learner examples
He spoke in a low, velvet voice.
Mély, bársonyos hangon beszélt.
The baby’s cheeks are soft and velvet.
A baba arca puha és bársonyos.
I love the velvet feel of this blanket.
The night air was cool and velvet on my face.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"very velvet"* to mean very soft. Use "very soft" or "very smooth" instead, or use "velvety" as the adjective ("a very velvety voice").
Meaning
very soft and smooth
Collocations
velvet skin
|velvet voice
|velvet touch
|velvet darkness
|velvet texture
Synonyms
silky (Emphasizes a smooth, fine feel; often used for hair and skin, slightly more common than "velvet" as an adjective.)
|
smooth (More general and basic; does not always suggest luxury or softness the way "velvet" does.)
|
velvety (The more common descriptive adjective; sounds slightly more natural than "velvet" before many nouns.)
Antonyms
rough (Describes a surface that is not smooth, the opposite of the soft feel suggested by "velvet".)
|
harsh (Used especially for sounds or light that are unpleasant, the opposite of the gentle quality of something "velvet".)
Themes
description
|senses
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very soft and smooth, like velvet cloth, especially when talking about skin, sound, or touch.
Describing a surface, sound, or other quality that is very soft, smooth, and pleasant, like velvet fabric.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
barka
C1
Usage pattern:
velvet on [a deer’s] antlers
In early summer the stag’s antlers are still covered in velvet.
Nyár elején a szarvasbika agancsát még barka borítja.
As the antlers harden, the deer will rub off the velvet on tree trunks.
Ahogy az agancs megkeményedik, a szarvas fatörzsekhez dörzsölve ledörzsöli róla a barkát.
Hunters can tell the season by whether the bucks are in velvet or not.
Learner examples
The young deer’s antlers are covered in velvet.
A fiatal szarvas agancsát barka borítja.
When the antlers are finished growing, the deer loses the velvet.
Amikor az agancs teljesen kifejlődik, a szarvas levedli a barkát.
You can see the velvet on the top of the deer’s head.
Meaning
soft covering on deer antlers
Collocations
deer in velvet
|antlers in velvet
|shed its velvet
|velvet-covered antlers
Synonyms
antler velvet (More specific technical term; clearly shows that the velvet is on antlers.)
Antonyms
hard antler (Refers to the final, fully grown state of the antlers after the velvet has been shed, the opposite stage in antler growth.)
Themes
animals
|nature
|science
Definition
The soft skin and hair that covers a deer’s new antlers while they are still growing.
The soft, blood-rich skin covered with short hair that surrounds and nourishes a deer’s growing antlers before it is shed.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
4
bársonyosság
B2
bársony
C1
Usage pattern:
the velvet of [something]
She loved the velvet of his voice as he read to her.
Szerette a hangja bársonyát, amikor felolvasott neki.
The velvet of the night wrapped around the quiet town.
Az éjszaka bársonya körülölelte a csendes várost.
He could feel the velvet of her skin under his fingertips.
The wine had the velvet of fine silk on his tongue.
Learner examples
She liked the velvet of his deep voice.
Tetszett neki a mély hangja bársonyossága.
The velvet of the night made the city feel calm.
Az éjszaka bársonya nyugalmat árasztott a városban.
He enjoyed the velvet of her soft skin.
The velvet of the sound made me feel relaxed.
Meaning
soft smooth quality like velvet
Collocations
the velvet of her voice
|the velvet of her skin
|the velvet of the night
|the velvet of the darkness
Synonyms
softness (More general and common; does not carry the same sense of luxury as "velvet".)
|
smoothness (Focuses on the lack of roughness; may sound more technical or neutral than the poetic feel of "velvet".)
Antonyms
harshness (A rough or unpleasant quality in sound, touch, or manner, the opposite of velvet’s gentle smoothness.)
|
roughness (The quality of feeling uneven or coarse, contrasted with the soft, even feel of velvet.)
Themes
description
|senses
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The soft and smooth quality of something, like velvet cloth, especially when talking about skin, sound, or air.
A quality of great softness and smoothness, especially in touch or sound, likened to velvet fabric.
Grammar
Dictionary form
velvet
IPA
GB/vˈɛlvɪt/
US/vˈɛlvɪt/
Syllables & stress
vel - vet (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vel)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: velvet
- Plural: velvet, velvets
Word family
Forms
velvets
noun
Core family
velvety
adjective
Related words
velour
noun
Advanced or less common
velveteen
noun
Expressions
like velvet
1/lˈaɪk vˈɛlvɪt/
fixed phrase
very soft and smooth in feel or sound
Used to say that something feels, tastes, or sounds very soft and smooth, like velvet cloth.
Examples
- The lotion made her hands feel like velvet.
- His voice was like velvet in her ears.
- This soup is like velvet on the tongue.
on velvet
6/ˈɔn vˈɛlvɪt/
idiom
informal
in a very secure, winning position
To be in a very good and safe situation, especially after you have already won back what you risked, so anything more is extra.
Examples
- After paying off his debts from the first deal, he was on velvet with the second one.
- Once you’ve covered your costs, you’re on velvet for the rest of the project.
- The team is on velvet now—they’ve already secured a spot in the playoffs.
red velvet
2/ɹˈɛd vˈɛlvɪt/
fixed phrase
type of red chocolate cake
A sweet cake that is red or dark red-brown, usually with a light chocolate taste and white cream cheese frosting.
Examples
- We ordered a red velvet cake for her birthday.
- Red velvet cupcakes are my favorite dessert.
- The bakery specializes in red velvet with cream cheese icing.
velvet divorce
7/vˈɛlvɪt dɪvˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
formal
peaceful political or institutional split
A peaceful and orderly separation between two parts of a country or organization, without violence or big public conflict.
Examples
- The split of Czechoslovakia into two states is often called the Velvet Divorce.
- Some leaders argued that a velvet divorce would be better than years of argument.
- Commentators wondered if the company’s breakup could be managed as a velvet divorce.
velvet glove
5/vˈɛlvɪt ɡlˈʌv/
idiom
literary
gentle manner hiding firmness
A way of speaking or acting that seems soft and kind but is still very firm or controlling.
Examples
- She used a velvet glove approach, asking nicely but making it clear that no was not an option.
- The negotiations were handled with a velvet glove, mixing charm with clear demands.
- Good managers often lead with a velvet glove rather than open threats.
velvet revolution
4/vˈɛlvɪt ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
mostly non-violent political revolution
A big political change, usually a change of government, that happens with little or no violence.
Examples
- The Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in 1989 ended one-party rule.
- Many protesters hoped for a velvet revolution rather than a bloody conflict.
- Historians compare the peaceful transition to a velvet revolution.
velvet rope
3/vˈɛlvɪt ɹˈoʊp/
fixed phrase
soft rope used as barrier
A thick, soft rope used in clubs, theaters, and events to make a line or to keep people out of a special area.
Examples
- A line formed behind the velvet rope outside the nightclub.
- Only VIP guests were allowed past the velvet rope.
- Security guards stood by the velvet ropes at the entrance.
an iron fist in a velvet glove
1/ən ˈaɪɚn fˈɪst ˈɪn ə vˈɛlvɪt ɡlˈʌv/
idiom
literary
harsh power hidden by gentleness
To control people in a very strict or harsh way but to hide this behind a polite, kind, or gentle manner.
Examples
- The new CEO rules with an iron fist in a velvet glove, smiling as she makes tough cuts.
- The governor’s style was an iron fist in a velvet glove—polite in public, but very firm in private.
- Parents sometimes need an iron fist in a velvet glove to set clear limits with love.
an iron fist in a velvet glove
2/ən ˈaɪɚn fˈɪst ˈɪn ə vˈɛlvɪt ɡlˈʌv/
idiom
Gentle appearance, harsh control
A person who looks kind and gentle but actually controls people in a very hard and strict way.
Examples
- The new CEO is an iron fist in a velvet glove: always smiling, but very tough.
- Her teaching style was an iron fist in a velvet glove—calm voice, strict rules.