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

Created with a mixture of acrylic paint, pastels and markers, the piece signaled a milestone in Torbert’s career. —Okla Jones, Essence, 11 Aug. 2025

The artwork was made with acrylic paint, watercolor and marker on canvas. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025

Noun

And this spacer yarn could be polyester, nylon, polypropylene, viscose, acrylic, cotton, wool or a combination thereof, per the patent filing. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 12 Aug. 2025

Use fabric paint and stamp a custom print onto a tote bag or tea towel, or use acrylic paint and cover a journal or canvas. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for acrylic

• argillic
• benzylic
• cyrillic
• idyllic
• acidophilic
• dicarboxylic
• electrophilic
• nucleophilic
• tricarboxylic
• amphiphilic
• basophilic
• carboxylic

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