silver medal

Meaning

A silver medal is an award given to the competitor or team that finishes in second place in a tournament, race, or contest. It represents an extremely high level of achievement, just one step below the gold medal. People use this term in sports contexts, school competitions, and talent shows.

Examples

• She was so proud to win the silver medal in the 100-meter race.

  She was so proud to win the silver medal in the 100-meter race.

• Our school choir took home the silver medal at the national competition.

  Our school choir took home the silver medal at the national competition.

• He narrowly missed the gold but was happy with his silver medal.

  He narrowly missed the gold but was happy with his silver medal.

• The silver medal is currently on display in the school's trophy cabinet.

  The silver medal is currently on display in the school's trophy cabinet.

• After months of hard training, earning a silver medal felt amazing.

  After months of hard training, earning a silver medal felt amazing.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He won a second medal in the competition.

  ✓ He won a silver medal in the competition.

  In English, we use the specific term 'silver medal' rather than 'second medal' to describe the prize awarded for second place.

• ✗ She got the silver metal.

  ✓ She got the silver medal.

  'Metal' refers to the chemical material (like iron or copper), while 'medal' is the physical award given to winners. They sound similar but are spelled differently.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The runner who came in second place received a ___.

  💡 It is the prize for second place, made of a greyish-white precious metal.

  Show answer

  silver medal

• She missed first place by just one second, so she got the ___.

  💡 It's the award given to the runner-up.

  Show answer

  silver medal