# acetate

/ˈæsəˌteɪt/ (US) · /ˈæsɪtˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acetate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. chemical compound

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a chemical salt or liquid that comes from acetic acid, which is the acid found in vinegar.

For teachers: any salt or ester of acetic acid. The term is widely used in chemistry to describe compounds formed by the reaction of acetic acid with a base or alcohol.

- The chemist added sodium acetate to the solution to observe the reaction.
- The laboratory report detailed the synthesis of various ethyl acetate derivatives for use as industrial solvents.

Usage: Often used in the names of specific chemical compounds like 'sodium acetate' or 'ethyl acetate'.

### 2. transparent sheet

noun · CEFR B2

a clear, plastic-like sheet used for drawing or for showing pictures on a screen with an overhead projector.

For teachers: a transparent sheet made of cellulose acetate, historically used for graphic overlays, animation cels, and overhead projector transparencies.

- The teacher wrote the math problems on an acetate sheet so the whole class could see them.
- Before digital projection became standard, lecturers relied on stacks of printed acetates to illustrate their presentations.

Usage: Commonly used as a countable noun when referring to the individual sheets.

### 3. fabric or fiber

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a smooth, shiny man-made fabric that looks like silk, often used for the lining of coats or dresses.

For teachers: a synthetic fiber or fabric made from cellulose acetate, characterized by a silky texture and high luster.

- The jacket has a soft acetate lining that makes it easy to put on.
- The designer chose an acetate blend for the evening gown to achieve a luxurious drape without the high cost of pure silk.

### 4. record disc

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a special type of record used to make a quick copy of a song before the final version is produced.

For teachers: a type of phonograph record, typically an aluminium disc coated in nitrocellulose lacquer, used for making reference recordings or demos.

- The band found an old acetate of their first song in the attic.
- Collectors often pay high prices for rare acetates that contain unreleased studio takes from famous recording sessions.

## Examples

- The designer chose acetate for the dress because of its shiny finish.
- Teachers used to write on clear acetate sheets so the class could see the notes on a screen.
- The preservation of early cinematic history is complicated by the fact that cellulose acetate film base eventually decomposes, a process often referred to as vinegar syndrome.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.