acrylic fiber

1 4.6

A warm, soft material made from plastic like wool used for clothes and furniture covers

noun
/əˈkrɪlɪk ˈfaɪbər/

Specialized

: fibra acrílica

The sweater is made from acrylic fiber.

Examples

Unlike wool, acrylic fiber is hypoallergenic and easy to care for.
The soft blanket is made from acrylic fiber, which keeps me warm and cozy during winter nights.
Many sweaters are made from acrylic fiber because it is lightweight and warm.
The upholstery was crafted with acrylic fiber to resist fading and wear.
Many sportswear brands use acrylic fibers for their products.
Many sportswear brands use acrylic fiber in their clothing because it is both lightweight and durable.
My new sofa is upholstered in acrylic fiber, making it resistant to stains and easy to clean.

Synonyms

synthetic fiber

vsacrylic fiber

Specialized

2 4.0

A fiber made using chemicals, not from plants or animals

is a specific type made from acrylonitrile used for clothing and upholstery

acrylic

vsacrylic fiber

1 4.0

A man-made fiber used to make soft, warm clothing that is easy to wash

is the specific textile made from acrylonitrile polymers for clothing and upholstery

How Warm

down

29 4.8

wool

114 1.0

acrylic fiber

Specialized

1 4.6

polyester fiber

Specialized

1 3.3

Surface Forms

acrylic fiber singular

acrylic fibers plural

Morphology

acrylic + fiber

The noun phrase denotes a fiber made from acrylic, so its meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'acrylic' (the material) with 'fiber' (the filament). This material-of relationship is a regular noun–noun composition found across languages and follows standard English naming patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand it.

Etymology

Acrylic fiber gets its name from the man-made material acrylic, which is turned into thin yarn-like fibers; imagine soft plastic threads spun to look and feel like wool. That's why the name means a warm, lightweight, man-made 'fiber' used in clothes and furniture.