Word
nylon
Phoneticsny·lon
US/ˈnaɪˌɫɑn/
UK/nˈaɪlɒn/
Definitions
01synthetic material
n. a strong, light, artificial material used for making clothes, bags, and ropes.
n. a synthetic polyamide polymer characterized by high strength and elasticity, used extensively in the textile and manufacturing industries.
“The tent is made of waterproof nylon to keep us dry during the storm.”
“The manufacturer opted for a high-grade nylon weave to ensure the parachute remained lightweight yet capable of withstanding extreme tension.”
Synonyms
02stockings
n. thin, sheer stockings that women wear on their legs.
n. sheer, close-fitting hosiery for women, traditionally made from nylon yarn.
“She noticed a small hole in her nylons just before the interview started.”
“During the mid-twentieth century, nylons became a staple of professional attire, replacing the more expensive silk stockings of previous decades.”
Usage
Usually used in the plural form 'nylons' when referring to the garment.
Teaching tip
While 'nylons' is a recognized term, many modern speakers prefer 'tights' or 'stockings' depending on the specific style.
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/nylon