silkie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialist (poultry/aviculture), Informal (folklore)
Quick answer
What does “silkie” mean?
A breed of chicken with exceptionally soft, silky plumage that lacks barbicels, giving it a fluffy appearance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A breed of chicken with exceptionally soft, silky plumage that lacks barbicels, giving it a fluffy appearance.
Can refer to the chicken breed, or, in fantasy contexts, a mythical creature (selkie) from Celtic folklore that transforms from seal to human. The spelling 'silkie' is sometimes used interchangeably with 'selkie' in this context, though it's non-standard.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning for the chicken breed. The folklore variant 'silkie' for 'selkie' is slightly more common in informal American writing, but 'selkie' remains standard in both.
Connotations
In both regions, the chicken breed connotes novelty, ornamental value, and pet-like qualities. The folklore variant carries mystical, romantic, or tragic connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties. More likely encountered in niche contexts like poultry shows, hobby farms, or fantasy literature/gaming communities.
Grammar
How to Use “silkie” in a Sentence
[breed] a silkie[own/keep/raise] silkies[describe] as a silkieVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “silkie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We plan to silkie a few of our older hens this spring. (informal/niche: to breed Silkies)
American English
- They decided to silkie their flock for the county fair. (informal/niche)
adjective
British English
- The silkie plumage felt like down.
- She admired the silkie chick's unusual toes.
American English
- He's known for his silkie bantams.
- The silkie feathers are prone to matting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in niche agricultural supply or poultry breeding.
Academic
Used in zoology, agriculture, or cultural studies papers discussing specific breeds or folklore.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used by poultry enthusiasts or in discussions of mythical creatures.
Technical
Standard term in aviculture for the specific breed Gallus gallus domesticus 'Silkie'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “silkie”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “silkie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “silkie”
- Confusing 'silkie' (chicken) with 'selkie' (mythical seal-person).
- Using 'silkie' as a general adjective (e.g., 'silkie hair' is incorrect; use 'silky').
- Capitalizing it when not starting a sentence (it's not a proper noun in the same way as 'Labrador').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, silkies are generally docile, friendly, and hardy, making them good pets. However, their unique feathers require protection from wet and muddy conditions.
A 'silkie' is a breed of chicken. A 'selkie' (standard spelling) is a mythical creature from Celtic folklore that is a seal in the water but can shed its skin to become human on land. The spelling 'silkie' is sometimes incorrectly used for the mythical creature.
Silkies are poor fliers due to their fluffy, loosely structured feathers which are not efficient for generating lift. They are mostly ground-dwelling birds.
They are named for their plumage, which lacks the barbicels that hook feather strands together on most birds. This results in a soft, silky, and fur-like texture instead of a smooth, sleek feather surface.
A breed of chicken with exceptionally soft, silky plumage that lacks barbicels, giving it a fluffy appearance.
Silkie is usually specialist (poultry/aviculture), informal (folklore) in register.
Silkie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪlki/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪlki/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SILK' + 'IE' – a chicken with feathers as soft as silk.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOFTNESS IS SILK (for the chicken) / THE SEA IS A GARMENT (for the folklore creature, who sheds its seal skin).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'silkie' LEAST likely to be used correctly?