# vinyl

/ˈvaɪnəɫ/ (US) · /vˈaɪnɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vinyl
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. plastic material

noun · CEFR B2

a strong, flexible plastic used to make things like floors, car seats, and waterproof clothes.

For teachers: a tough, flexible synthetic plastic, typically polyvinyl chloride, used for floor coverings and upholstery.

- The kitchen floor is covered in easy-to-clean grey vinyl.
- The designer specified high-grade vinyl for the restaurant booths to ensure the surfaces could withstand heavy daily use and frequent cleaning.

### 2. music records

noun · CEFR B2

records that play music, or the format of music on these records.

For teachers: phonograph records as a collective medium or a specific disc made of this material.

- He prefers listening to vinyl because he thinks the sound is warmer.
- Despite the convenience of streaming services, many collectors still invest heavily in vinyl for its tactile quality and superior cover art.

### 3. chemical radical

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a specific group of atoms used to create various chemical compounds.

For teachers: the univalent radical CH2=CH− derived from ethylene, serving as a precursor to various polymers.

- The chemist explained how the vinyl group reacts to form long chains.
- The polymerisation of vinyl chloride monomers results in the formation of the widely used plastic known as PVC.

### 4. made of vinyl

adjective · CEFR B2

describes something made from this type of plastic.

For teachers: composed of or pertaining to vinyl or polyvinyl chloride.

- She wore a black vinyl jacket that kept her dry in the rain.
- The vintage car featured original vinyl upholstery that had been remarkably well-preserved by the previous owner.

## Examples

- He collects old jazz albums on vinyl.
- The kitchen floor is covered in waterproof vinyl tiles that are very easy to clean.
- Despite the convenience of digital streaming, the tactile nature and perceived sonic warmth of vinyl have led to a significant resurgence in record sales among younger generations.

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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.