acrylic
Americanadjective
noun
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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.
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.
Ants crossed a small Lego drawbridge onto a test surface, which consisted of an A4 sheet placed over acrylic.
From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026
Baker, who mostly uses oil and acrylic paint, said the "crazy" situation had made her realise how powerful social media can be.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
A total of 29 acrylic, mixed media paintings and drawings by McClung and Mercado will be on display at the Altura Credit Union Community Gallery until Oct.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
It is hard to get dressed without encountering oil-based products, which are woven into modern clothing in the form of polyester, nylon, acrylic and other synthetic fibers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026
“You need your hair done. I say it’s about time you get a perm and some acrylic nails. Girl, we gonna have you looking good!”
From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles
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.
