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

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

Its pieces, including the beer cans, are made of acrylic paint on aluminum and varnish, and could be found in unexpected corners at LAM. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024

Noun

Choosing the tondo canvas for He (2024), an acrylic and gold leaf, Holmes is inserting his Black figure into the dead-white-male art historical canon. —Natasha Gural, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Schwartz began studying art, experimenting in mediums including acrylic and watercolors, frequently mixing these with such unusual materials as sand or found objects. —News Desk, Artforum, 17 Oct. 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