acrylic

1 of 2

adjective

acryl·​ic ə-ˈkri-lik 

1

: of or relating to acrylic acid or its derivatives

acrylic polymers

2

: made or consisting of an acrylic

an acrylic window

acrylic

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: acrylic resin

b

: a paint in which the vehicle is an acrylic resin

c

: a painting done in an acrylic resin

2

: acrylic fiber

Examples of acrylic in a Sentence

Noun

a painting done in acrylics

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The paint was created by the British artist Stuart Temple using 64% real silver flakes and pigments blended into an acrylic paint suspension. —Trinity Francis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Adam Grimm, an artist based in South Dakota, won the competition for his acrylic portrait of two spectacled eiders against a backdrop of snowy mountains, reports WSHU’s Davis Dunavin. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

Noun

Synthetic fibers — such as polyester, nylon, spandex and acrylic — account for about two-thirds of textile products today. —Fairchild Studio, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024

Plenty of sweaters are made with acrylic and polyester fibers, which can look great and keep you cozy, but natural materials tend to be better investments. —Andrea Bossi, Essence, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from French (acide) acrylique, partial translation (with addition of the suffix -ique -ic entry 1) of German Acrylsäure, with acryl- from Acrolein acrolein + -yl -yl

First Known Use

Adjective

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing acrylic

• acrylic acid
• acrylic fiber
• acrylic resin

Kids Definition

acrylic

noun

acryl·​ic

ə-ˈkril-ik

1

: acrylic fiber

2

: a paint containing an acrylic resin

Medical Definition

acrylic

1 of 2 adjective

acryl·​ic ə-ˈkril-ik 

: of or relating to acrylic acid or its derivatives

acrylic polymers

acrylic

2 of 2 noun

: acrylic resin