black velvet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumColloquial (drink), Specialized (fabric), Poetic/Literary (metaphor)
Quick answer
What does “black velvet” mean?
A drink made by mixing stout (typically Guinness) and champagne or sparkling wine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A drink made by mixing stout (typically Guinness) and champagne or sparkling wine.
The term also refers to a specific variety of felt fabric (black velvet), and can metaphorically describe something exceptionally dark, smooth, and luxurious, akin to the fabric.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The drink is known in both cultures, but the cocktail name may be more established in UK/Irish pubs. The fabric term is universal.
Connotations
For the drink: sophisticated yet heavy pub order. For the fabric: luxury, mourning, or formal attire.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK/Irish contexts for the drink. Fabric term is equally common.
Grammar
How to Use “black velvet” in a Sentence
[drink/order/serve] a black velvet[wear/drape] black velvet[like/be] [as smooth/dark] as black velvetVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black velvet” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She wore a black-velvet hairband.
- The black-velvet sky was stunning.
American English
- He bought a black-velvet painting.
- It was a black-velvet evening.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In hospitality: a menu item. In retail: a fabric description.
Academic
Rare; possibly in historical costume or textile studies.
Everyday
Ordering a drink or describing clothing material.
Technical
Textile manufacturing specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “black velvet”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “black velvet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black velvet”
- Using 'black velvet' as an adjective without a hyphen (e.g., 'black-velvet dress' is hyphenated as a compound adjective).
- Confusing it with 'red velvet' (cake).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its most common non-drink meaning is a type of soft, luxurious fabric.
Typically, it is half stout (like Guinness) and half champagne or sparkling wine, poured carefully to layer.
Yes, but it should be hyphenated when used before a noun (e.g., a black-velvet cushion).
Not etymologically. The drink is named for its smooth, dark appearance which resembles the fabric.
A drink made by mixing stout (typically Guinness) and champagne or sparkling wine.
Black velvet is usually colloquial (drink), specialized (fabric), poetic/literary (metaphor) in register.
Black velvet: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblæk ˈvɛlvɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblæk ˈvɛlvət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None standard for the phrase itself”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a luxurious black velvet robe, then pouring a dark stout over a bubbling champagne flute - both are 'black velvet'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LUXURY IS SMOOTH TEXTURE (fabric), MIXTURE IS COMBINATION OF OPPOSITES (drink).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'black velvet' LEAST likely refer to a drink?