What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
silvery
Example
The moon cast a silvery light over the lake. [silvery: adjective]
Example
The silvery chimes of the clock echoed through the room. [silvery: adjective]
Example
The silvery scales of the fish shimmered in the sunlight. [silvery: adjective]
shiny
Example
Her shiny black shoes caught my eye. [shiny: adjective]
Example
The car's shiny exterior gleamed in the sun. [shiny: adjective]
Example
I just polished the silverware, and now it looks shiny. [shiny: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shiny is more commonly used than silvery in everyday language. Shiny is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while silvery is less common and has a more specific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between silvery and shiny?
Both silvery and shiny are relatively informal adjectives, but silvery may be slightly more formal due to its association with metals and the color silver.
