What does "nylon" mean?
Originally, the DuPont company trade name for polyamide, a copolymer whose molecules consist of alternating diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers bonded together; now generically used for this type of polymer.
Nylon
/ˈnaɪlɑn/ name, noun
name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Originally, the DuPont company trade name for polyamide, a copolymer whose molecules consist of alternating diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers bonded together; now generically used for this type of polymer.
- Grammar: nylon is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: acetate, acetate rayon, acrylic, alpaca.
- Useful contrasts: bare leg, cotton, cotton fabric.
- Usage evidence: Soft wool is more expensive than coarse wool and both are superior to synthetics made of nylon.
How to use "nylon"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "nylon" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "nylon" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "nylon" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "nylon" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "nylon" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acetate" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "nylon", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Originally, the DuPont company trade name for polyamide, a copolymer whose molecules consist of alternating diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers bonded together; now generically used for this type of polymer. countable, uncountable
- 2 a group of synthetic fabrics, known generically as aliphatic polyamides wordnet
- 3 A stocking originally fabricated from nylon; also used generically for any long, sheer stocking worn on a woman's legs. countable, in-plural, uncountable
"I tore a hole in my nylons while walking home through the woods."
- 4 a thermoplastic polyamide; a family of strong resilient synthetic fibers wordnet
- 5 A Queen's Counsel, King's Counsel or Senior Counsel who was appointed as a courtesy, rather than on merit. countable, uncountable
Proper Noun
- 1 New York-London, a reference to transatlantic life, people who spend time in both cities, or a transatlantic culture featuring both cities. attributive, often
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of NYLON. alt-of
Example
"Soft wool is more expensive than coarse wool and both are superior to synthetics made of nylon."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "nylon"?
Common synonyms include: acetate, acetate rayon, acrylic, alpaca, angora, aralac.
How do you use "nylon" in a sentence?
Soft wool is more expensive than coarse wool and both are superior to synthetics made of nylon.
How do you pronounce "nylon"?
Pronounced /ˈnaɪlɑn/.
Etymology
Coined by the company DuPont in 1938. According to the company, the name was formed from the random generic syllable nyl- + the common fiber suffix -on (as in rayon and Dacron), said to be ultimately from cotton.