acrylic
Americanadjective
noun
-
a paint, prepared especially for artists, in which an acrylic resin serves as a vehicle.
-
a painting done with this type of paint.
She sold several acrylics during the show.
adjective
noun
-
short for acrylic fibre acrylic resin
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a paint or colour containing acrylic resin
-
An acrylic resin.
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A paint containing acrylic resin.
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An acrylic fiber.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of acrylic
First recorded in 1855–60; acr(olein) + -yl + -ic
Explanation
Acrylic is a kind of plastic, fabric, fiber, or paint that's made from acrylic acid. You might knit your mom an acrylic hat if she's allergic to wool. Anything made of acrylic is synthetic — it's not a natural substance or fiber, but was made in a lab or factory from artificial materials. Acrylic paint is a quick-drying, water-soluble kind of paint that artists often use instead of oil paint or watercolors. The original meaning of acrylic was "containing acryl," from acrolein, the sharp, bitter liquid in onions, rooted in the Latin words acer, "sharp," and olere, "to smell."
Vocabulary lists containing acrylic
Visual Arts - Introductory
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Visual Arts - High School
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Art History
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As a novelty purchase, the Light Up Acrylic Message Board is finding success on TikTok Shop, selling over 127,0000 items.
From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024
Acrylic nail designs are displayed for customers at Queens Nail.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2024
Acrylic, which is also a clear plastic, is much stiffer and more brittle, so it’s more likely to crack.
From Washington Post • Sep. 19, 2022
Marbrasse Acrylic Pen Holder $31 This clear plastic organizer rotates 360 degrees and can hold pens, pencils, crayons, and all sorts of other stuff.
From The Verge • Aug. 5, 2022
Acrylic wipes off really easily, so if I’m messy or get it on my hands, it doesn’t ruin anything.
From New York Times • Nov. 3, 2017
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
