Acrylic

Definition

A type of synthetic polymer used in the production of many products, including textiles, paints, and plastics.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Adjective

Pronunciation

• IPA Pronunciation:
• American: /əˈkrɪlɪk/
• British: /əˈkrɪlɪk/
• Respelling:
• American: ə-KRIL-ik
• British: ə-KRIL-ik

Etymology

The term "acrylic" is derived from the English word "acrolein," the name of a liquid used in the production of synthetic resins, and the suffix "-ic," which denotes pertaining to or derived from.

Derivatives

• Acrylate
• Acrylic acid
• Acrylic fiber
• Acrylic paint
• Acrylic resin

Synonyms

• Polyacrylate
• Plexiglas
• Lucite

Antonyms

• Natural
• Organic
• Cotton (in the context of fibers)

Usage

• "The artist preferred using acrylic paints for their quick drying time."
• "The sweater was made of acrylic fibers, giving it a soft and smooth texture."

Related Terms

• Polymer
• Synthetic
• Resin
• Plastic
• Fabric

Detailed Definition

Noun:

• A type of plastic material derived from polymers of acrylic acid or acrylates.
• Example: "The museum had sculptures made of acrylic."
• A paint made with pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer solution.
• Example: "She decided to use acrylics for her mural because they dry quickly."

Adjective:

• Made of acrylic.
• Example: "She wore an acrylic sweater."
• Relating to paints that contain an acrylic polymer.
• Example: "He bought an acrylic medium to mix with his colors."

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"Acrylic" is commonly associated with art and textiles, but its applications span a wide range of industries due to its versatile properties.

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