Silver is a shiny, white-colored metal that people have valued for thousands of years. It conducts electricity better than any other element, which is why it's used in electronics like smartphones and solar panels. Silver also reflects light extremely well, making it perfect for mirrors and telescopes. Throughout history, people have used silver to make coins, jewelry, and fine tableware because it's beautiful, doesn't rust, and can be shaped easily.

The word also describes the color of this metal: a lustrous, metallic gray-white. When someone's hair turns silver with age, it takes on this distinctive shine. A silver medal goes to the person who finishes second in a competition, because silver has traditionally been considered the second most precious metal after gold.

Silver appears throughout language and culture. A silver lining is something good you find in a bad situation, like making a new friend after moving to a new school. When someone speaks with a silver tongue, they're unusually persuasive and eloquent. These phrases capture silver's association with something valuable and special, even if it's not quite gold.