Difference Wiki

Acrylic vs. Polymer: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
Acrylic is a type of synthetic resin used in various materials and applications, often as a paint or plastic. Polymer is a broader term for large molecules made up of repeated subunits, which can include acrylic but also many other substances.

Key Differences

Acrylic is a specific type of polymer made from the polymerization of esters. It is commonly used in paints, plastics, and other materials. Polymer, on the other hand, is a broad term that describes large molecules composed of repeating subunits. Polymers can be natural like DNA or synthetic like polyester.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Acrylic tends to have specific uses, often in the form of sheets, paints, or fabrics. It is popular for its lightweight and transparent properties. Polymer is a much broader category that encompasses a wide range of materials, including plastics, resins, and even biological substances like proteins and DNA.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Grammatically, both acrylic and polymer function as nouns. However, "acrylic" can often be used as an adjective to describe materials that contain acrylic, such as "acrylic paint" or "acrylic fiber." "Polymer," while generally a noun, rarely serves as an adjective and is usually described by other adjectives like "synthetic polymer" or "natural polymer."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
In summary, acrylic is a type of polymer with specific applications and characteristics. Polymer is a more general term encompassing a vast range of substances made from repeated molecular units. The former is a subset of the latter, but both have unique properties and applications.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Comparison Chart

Scope

Specific type of polymer
Broad term for large molecules
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Sep 22, 2023
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Uses

Paints, plastics, fabrics
Various, including biology
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Sep 22, 2023

Material Properties

Lightweight, transparent
Varies widely
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Sep 22, 2023

Grammatical Role

Noun, sometimes an adjective
Primarily a noun
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Biological Occurrence

Synthetic
Can be synthetic or natural
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023

Acrylic and Polymer Definitions

Acrylic

Art medium
He prefers using acrylic for his artwork.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023
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Polymer

Repeating units
A polymer is made of monomers.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023

Acrylic

Synthetic resin
Acrylic is often used in paints.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023

Polymer

Material science
Polymers are studied in material science.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Acrylic

Fabric material
This sweater is made of acrylic.
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Sep 22, 2023

Polymer

Biological role
Proteins are polymers with important functions.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
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Acrylic

An acrylic resin.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Polymer

Large molecules
DNA is a type of polymer.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Acrylic

A paint containing acrylic resin.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Polymer

Any of numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule.
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

A painting done in acrylic resin.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Polymer

(organic chemistry) A long or larger molecule consisting of a chain or network of many repeating units, formed by chemically bonding together many identical or similar small molecules called monomers. A polymer is formed by polymerization, the joining of many monomer molecules.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

Any of numerous synthetic fibers polymerized from acrylonitrile.
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Apr 09, 2023

Polymer

A material consisting of such polymer molecules.
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

(organic chemistry) Derived from acrylic acid or acrylonitrile.
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Apr 09, 2023

Polymer

Any one of two or more substances related to each other by polymerism; specifically, a substance produced from another substance by chemical polymerization.
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

Containing an acrylic resin.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Polymer

A naturally occurring or synthetic compound consisting of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomers
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

(organic chemistry) An acrylic resin.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Polymer

Synthetic material
Nylon is a synthetic polymer.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Acrylic

(painting) A paint containing an acrylic resin.
When it comes to painting, I prefer using acrylics as my medium.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

A painting executed using such a paint.
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

A thick sheet of plastic.
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

A liquid coating system based on an acrylic resin.
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

Of or containing acryl, the hypothetical radical of which acrolein is the hydride; as, acrylic acid. The characteristic residue in an acrylic compound is the carbonyl group attached directly to an ethylenic carbon.
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

Same as acrylic resin.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

Same as acrylic fiber.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

A paint in which the pigment is suspended in a solution of an acrylic resin, which dries to a hard film on exposure to air.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

A painting made using an acrylic paint.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

Polymerized from acrylonitrile
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

A glassy thermoplastic; can be cast and molded or used in coatings and adhesives
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

Used especially by artists
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

A synthetic fabric
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Apr 09, 2023

Acrylic

Type of plastic
Acrylic sheets are lightweight.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

Acrylic

Transparent material
The aquarium is made of acrylic glass.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023

FAQs

What is a polymer?

A polymer is a large molecule made of repeating subunits.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Are all acrylics synthetic?

Generally, acrylic is synthetic.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Are polymers recyclable?

Some polymers are recyclable, depending on the type.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

Can polymers be natural?

Yes, polymers can be both natural and synthetic.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023

Is acrylic toxic?

Generally, acrylic is considered non-toxic but can emit fumes.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023

What is acrylic commonly used for?

Acrylic is commonly used in paints, plastics, and fabrics.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Is acrylic water-resistant?

Yes, acrylic is generally water-resistant.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023

What are biopolymers?

Biopolymers are natural polymers like DNA or proteins.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Can acrylic be used as an adhesive?

Yes, acrylic can be formulated as an adhesive.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Is acrylic a polymer?

Yes, acrylic is a specific type of polymer.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Is acrylic paint water-based?

Acrylic paint is generally water-based.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

Are all polymers plastics?

No, not all polymers are plastics; they can also be biological.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

How are polymers made?

Polymers are made through polymerization, linking monomers together.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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