acrylic

acrylic — noun

IPA/əˈkrɪl.ɪk/
KK[əkrˈɪlɪk]IPA/əˈkrɪl.ɪk/
  • acrylicsingular
  • acrylicsplural

1. a man-made material used either as a soft fibre in clothes or as a hard clear pl

1.nounB2
Definition

a man-made material used either as a soft fibre in clothes or as a hard clear plastic in objects.

Example

This scarf is made from acrylic, so it dries fast after washing.

made from acrylic

The shop cut clear acrylic into boxes for cakes and gifts.

clear acrylic for hard objects

Common collocations
  • clear acrylic
  • made of acrylic
  • acrylic sheet
  • acrylic yarn
  • acrylic cover
Synonyms
  • synthetic material

    a broad term for anything man-made; it is less specific than 'acrylic'

  • plastic

    works for the hard-material use, but not for sweaters or yarn

  • resin

    more technical and mostly used for the hard, shaped form

Usage Note

Usually uncountable when you mean the material itself. Common with words such as sweater, yarn, sheet, and cover. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names the substance, not the paint made from it.

Common Mistakes

This sweater is made by acrylic.
This sweater is made of acrylic.
use 'made of' for materials, not 'made by'.
I bought an acrylics scarf.
I bought an acrylic scarf.
before a noun, the material word usually stays singular.

2. a fast-drying paint made from acrylic material, often used by artists on paper,

2.nounB2
Definition

a fast-drying paint made from acrylic material, often used by artists on paper, wood, or canvas.

Example

Nora painted the sunset in acrylic on a wide canvas.

paint in acrylic

Our art teacher said acrylic dries too fast for long blending.

acrylic dries quickly

Common collocations
  • paint in acrylic
  • red acrylic
  • acrylic set
  • acrylic on canvas
  • tube of acrylic
Synonyms

Usage Note

Common in art contexts, often after 'in': paint in acrylic. When the situation is clear, speakers often say just 'acrylic'; 'acrylic paint' is the fuller form.

Common Mistakes

She painted the wall by acrylic.
She painted the wall in acrylic.
use 'in acrylic' for the painting medium.
The acrylic were still wet on my brush.
The acrylic paint was still wet on my brush.
singular 'acrylic' is usually treated as a mass noun for the paint itself.

acrylic — adjective

IPA/əˈkrɪlɪk/
KK[əkrˈɪlɪk]IPA/əˈkrɪlɪk/

Word family

  • acrylate
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Acrylic' is more specific than 'plastic'. In everyday English, 'plastic' usually means a hard manufactured material for things like bottles, toys, or boxes. 'Acrylic' can be that kind of clear hard material, but it is also a soft synthetic fibre used in sweaters, blankets, and yarn. 'Polyester' and 'nylon' are also man-made materials, but they are narrower in use. Polyester is especially common in easy-care clothing, while nylon is stronger and often used for sportswear, rope, or bags. So if you mean a warm sweater or a clear display case, 'acrylic' may fit. If you mean the broad material category, 'plastic' is safer. Compare: 'an acrylic blanket', 'a plastic bottle', 'a polyester shirt', and 'a nylon backpack'.

acrylic ↗plastic ↗polyester ↗nylon ↗

Etymology

GermanFrenchEnglish

English took this scientific word in the 1800s from French 'acrylique', a form linked to German 'Acrylsaeure' meaning 'acrylic acid'. The base part 'acryl-' goes back to 'acrolein', the name of a strong-smelling chemical. At first the word was mainly used in chemistry for substances connected with acrylic acid. Later it spread into everyday English for the clear plastic, the artificial fibre, and the paint made from those substances.