acrylics
acrylics — adjective
1. describing a type of quick-drying paint or protective coating that uses an acryl
describing a type of quick-drying paint or protective coating that uses an acrylic substance as its base
Javier bought a set of acrylic paints in bright colours for the mural project.
collocation: acrylic paints
The art teacher showed the children how to thin acrylic colours with water.
Kwame applied two coats of acrylic varnish to protect the wooden tabletop.
Suyin added an acrylic medium so the paint flowed smoothly across the canvas.
The kitchen walls were coated in a white acrylic finish that wiped clean easily.
- latex
different chemical base; latex paint uses a water-based emulsion
- water-based
many acrylic paints are water-based, but not all
用法筆記
Distinguish from the material sense (adjective/2): this describes liquid paints or coatings, not solid objects. Often appears before paint, medium, varnish, or finish.
2. made from a strong, clear plastic that can be shaped when heated and is often us
made from a strong, clear plastic that can be shaped when heated and is often used instead of glass
Yuki replaced the broken window with an acrylic panel that let in more light.
collocation: acrylic panel
The museum displayed the ancient coins inside a sealed acrylic case.
collocation: acrylic case
Dimitri chose acrylic shelves for the bathroom because they would not rust.
The restaurant's new sign was a large acrylic board lit from behind.
Amara wore an acrylic badge holder clipped to the front of her white coat.
- plastic
broader term; acrylic is one specific type of plastic
- plexiglass
trademark name for a brand of acrylic sheet
用法筆記
Distinguish from the paint sense (adjective/1): this describes solid plastic objects, not liquid paints or coatings.
3. describing a substance that comes from acrylic acid, a chemical compound used as
describing a substance that comes from acrylic acid, a chemical compound used as a building block for plastics, paints, and adhesives
Dr. Nkosi measured the acrylic acid level in each sealed glass tube.
collocation: acrylic acid
The acrylic polymer softened when Mei added too much solvent to the mixture.
collocation: acrylic polymer
A thin acrylic coating on the steel beam stopped it from rusting in salt air.
The laboratory found traces of four acrylic compounds at the old factory site.
Fatima compared three acrylic derivatives to see which one bonded best to glass.
用法筆記
Used only in technical and scientific writing. Common collocates are acid, polymer, monomer, compound, and resin.
acrylics — noun
1. a fast-drying paint made by mixing coloured powder with an acrylic liquid; widel
a fast-drying paint made by mixing coloured powder with an acrylic liquid; widely used by artists because it can be thinned with water and sticks to many surfaces
Thandiwe switched from oils to acrylics because they dried much faster.
collocation: switch to acrylics
The art shop sold acrylics in small tubes and in larger plastic pots.
Anders mixed his acrylics with a glossy medium to give the portrait a wet shine.
Hester taught the beginners how to blend acrylics smoothly on the paper.
Children enjoy working with acrylics because spills wash out with soap and water.
- acrylic paint
the full term; 'acrylics' is the shorter, more common form among artists
- oil paint
different medium; oil paint dries much more slowly and requires solvents
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'acrylics' when talking about the paint medium as a category. Distinguish from noun/2, which refers to the finished painting, not the paint itself.
常見錯誤
2. a picture or piece of art created using acrylic paints on canvas, paper, or boar
a picture or piece of art created using acrylic paints on canvas, paper, or board
Sanjay hung his new acrylics along the gallery's brightest wall for the opening.
plural form: acrylics = acrylic paintings
The café owner bought three small acrylics of the seaside from a local painter.
Noor's acrylics sold faster than her watercolours at the weekend art fair.
The exhibition featured twelve bold acrylics, each showing a different mountain range.
Ida's latest acrylic, a portrait of her grandmother, won first prize at the show.
- acrylic painting
singular form; 'acrylics' is the more common plural for artworks
- canvas
broader term for any painting on canvas, not specifically acrylic
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural. Distinguish from noun/1: this is the finished artwork, not the paint used to make it.
常見錯誤
3. a strong, clear plastic material that can be shaped when hot, used for making wi
a strong, clear plastic material that can be shaped when hot, used for making windows, signs, furniture, and protective covers
The workshop ordered a large sheet of acrylic for the new greenhouse roof.
collocation: sheet of acrylic
Noor chose acrylic over glass because it was lighter and harder to break.
The factory moulded the warm acrylic into the shape of a car headlight cover.
Suyin built a small table from thick, frosted acrylic that glowed under the lamp.
Old scratched acrylic can be polished back to a clear shine with the right cloth.
- plexiglass
a trademarked brand of acrylic sheet
- perspex
another trademark; common in British English
- PMMA
technical abbreviation for polymethyl methacrylate
用法筆記
Distinguish from the paint sense (noun/1): this refers to the raw plastic material itself, not to artists' paint.
4. a man-made fiber that feels soft like wool, used for making jumpers, blankets, a
a man-made fiber that feels soft like wool, used for making jumpers, blankets, and other warm clothing
The label on the jumper said it was made of acrylic, not real wool.
collocation: made of acrylic
Amara bought an acrylic blanket because it was warm and much cheaper than cashmere.
collocation: acrylic blanket
The scarf looked like soft wool, but the shop assistant told Mei it was acrylic.
Kwame washed his acrylic sweater in cold water and dried it flat on a towel.
Many school uniforms now use acrylic because it holds its shape wash after wash.
- acrylic fiber
technical term for the raw material; 'acrylic' alone is used for the finished fabric
- synthetic wool
descriptive term emphasizing its wool-like feel
用法筆記
When referring to the fabric, 'acrylic' is usually uncountable. Common in clothing labels and textile descriptions.