Meaning & use
salvers
Last updated
“salvers” is a form of “salver”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounpluralformal
Flat trays, usually of silver or metal, on which drinks, food or letters are presented.
Grammar: Plural of salver: two silver salvers.
Patterns
- carry something on salvers
Waiters carried glasses of champagne on silver salvers.
The museum displays Victorian salvers once used at royal banquets.
The butler polished the salvers every Friday.
Word forms
| singular | salver |
|---|
Common combinations
- silver salvers
- The silver salvers shone under the chandeliers.
- polish the salvers
- The maid polished the salvers before the party.
- engraved salvers
- The family kept two engraved salvers in a glass cabinet.
- on salvers
- Canapes were served on salvers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- trays
- Trays is the everyday word and can be of any material, while salvers sounds formal and often means silver.
- platters
- Platters are larger dishes for serving food, while salvers are flat and often used for small items.
- plates
- Plates are meant for eating from, but salvers are for carrying or presenting.
Word family
Commonly confused: salvers or salvers?
salvers vs salvers
Do not confuse with salvos, which are bursts of gunfire or criticism.
Practice
At the old-fashioned dinner, the guests' letters arrived on silver ___.
Choose one answer.
Salvers are flat trays for presenting items. Saucers go under cups and are too small for letters.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “salvers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.