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

Four soft white faux peonies are included in a clear glass vase that even has acrylic at the bottom to give the illusion of water. —Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024

Case in point: This particular watercolor paper pad and acrylic paint set, which is a top pick from a painter and available on Amazon. —Alexandra Folino, Glamour, 12 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