silverware
gb/sˈɪlvɚwˌɛɹ/ us/sˈɪlvɚwˌɛɹ/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
knives, forks, and spoons
the knives, forks, and spoons you eat with
Usage pattern:
[a set of] silverware; the silverware
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.
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.)
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
Themes
food
|home
|daily_life
Examples
- I put the silverware in the drawer after it dried.
- Can you set the table and put out the silverware?
- We bought new silverware when we moved into our apartment.
Learner examples
- The silverware is in the drawer.
- I need a fork from the silverware.
Noun
B1
entity
2
tableware made of silver
knives, forks, and serving pieces made of silver
Usage pattern:
sterling silverware; family silverware
Common mistake:
This meaning is specific: in everyday American English, silverware can also mean any eating utensils, even if they are stainless steel.
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.)
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
Themes
home
|shopping
|materials
Examples
- They brought out the silverware for the holiday dinner.
- The antique dealer offered to appraise her silverware.
- We inherited a small set of silverware from my grandmother.
Learner examples
- This silverware is made of silver.
- We only use the silverware on special days.
Noun
B2
entity
3
trophies won in sports
trophies that a team wins
Usage pattern:
win silverware; lift the silverware
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.
Synonyms
trophies (The direct, literal term.)
|
hardware (More informal sports slang.)
Antonyms
no trophies (Opposite outcome: winning nothing.)
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
Themes
sports
|competition
|media
Examples
- After years of near misses, the team finally won some silverware.
- They ended the season without silverware despite a strong start.
- The new coach was hired to deliver silverware quickly.
Learner examples
- The team won silverware this year.
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.
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.
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.