acrylic

1 of 2

adjective

acryl·​ic ə-ˈkri-lik How to pronounce acrylic (audio)
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
b
: a paint in which the vehicle is an acrylic resin
c
: a painting done in an acrylic resin
2

Example Sentences

Noun a painting done in acrylics
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
There’s nothing quite like peeling the plastic off a new canvas, squirting a little glob of acrylic paint onto my palette and letting the brush glide across, capturing another sunset. Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2022 Her main ingredient is oil paint, never acrylic—building up through many layers to a lush translucency. Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2023 Moments later, Oscar throws a bottle of acrylic paint (capped, thankfully) and makes a beeline for the door. Melissa Petro, Time, 3 Nov. 2022 To inspire confidence in customers, the Sushiro chain is installing acrylic screens at some outlets to deter conveyor bel tampering and only providing fresh seasonings and cutlery on a request basis. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2023 Made of gold-tone metal and acrylic pearls, these drop earrings are a bit fancier than your typical studs or hoops. Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 3 Feb. 2023 Exterior paint is typically acrylic or latex-based and is specially formulated to withstand UV and weather damage. Elizabeth Sweet, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2023 This personalized gift commemorates you and your loved one’s favorite song with a clear acrylic plaque that’s easy to display. Samantha Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Jan. 2023 Are acrylic duck calls better than polycarbonate or wood? M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 23 Jan. 2023
Noun
In six large untitled acrylic paintings at Gagosian, all dated between 2002 and 2003, white dribbles down a field of thick, overripe green. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2023 The animal lover, 43, purchased a $5,000 acrylic painting by Patty and Kramer, who live at the Save the Chimps sanctuary with 226 other chimpanzees, according to a spokesperson from the organization. Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 30 Nov. 2022 In nail salons, individuals are also exposed to particles (aerosols) generated during some of the operations the technicians perform, such as the grinding of acrylic. Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 6 Feb. 2023 Made of 100 percent acrylic, the knit leg warmers are four times as thick as traditional cotton, helping to keep you warm during cold winter days. Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 27 Jan. 2023 An outdoor version is made of polypropylene or solution-dyed acrylic. oregonlive, 5 June 2022 The soft blanket is made from a blend of acrylic and wool yarn that's lightweight yet warm enough to keep you cozy on movie nights. Lily Gray, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2022 The little trio of floral acrylic paintings (all 2003) on the lower floor is too repetitively cheery to be engaging, like a bad series of children’s books. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2023 Other times, the photos center on the art itself, capturing intricate origami models, dynamic acrylic paintings and careful pencil sketches. Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 10 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acrylic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of acrylic was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near acrylic

Cite this Entry

“Acrylic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acrylic. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

acrylic

noun
acryl·​ic
ə-ˈkril-ik
1
2
: a paint containing an acrylic resin

Medical Definition

acrylic

1 of 2 adjective
acryl·​ic ə-ˈkril-ik How to pronounce acrylic (audio)
: of or relating to acrylic acid or its derivatives
acrylic polymers

acrylic

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on acrylic

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