Vinyl vs. Plastic

Vinylnoun

The univalent radical CH₂=CH−, derived from ethylene

Plasticnoun

A synthetic, solid, hydrocarbon-based polymer, whether thermoplastic or thermosetting.

Vinylnoun

(countable) Any of various compounds and substances containing the vinyl radical, especially various tough, flexible, shiny plastics

Plasticnoun

Credit or debit cards used in place of cash to buy goods and services.

Vinylnoun

Phonograph records as a medium

‘Many DJs prefer vinyl to CDs.’;

Plasticnoun

(slang) Fakeness, or a person who is fake or arrogant, or believes that they are better than the rest of the population.

Vinyladjective

(chemistry) containing the vinyl radical

Plasticnoun

(obsolete) A sculptor, moulder.

Vinyladjective

Made of polyvinyl chloride.

Plasticnoun

(archaic) Any solid but malleable substance.

Vinylnoun

The hypothetical radical C2H3, regarded as the characteristic residue of ethylene and that related series of unsaturated hydrocarbons with which the allyl compounds are homologous.

Plasticadjective

Capable of being moulded; malleable, flexible, pliant.

Vinylnoun

a univalent chemical radical derived from ethylene

Plasticadjective

Producing tissue.

Vinylnoun

shiny and tough and flexible plastic; used especially for floor coverings

Plasticadjective

(dated) Creative, formative.

Vinylnoun

synthetic resin or plastic consisting of polyvinyl chloride or a related polymer, used for wallpapers and other covering materials and for gramophone records

‘the vinyl is cut to size with a craft knife’; ‘vinyl floor tiles’;

Plasticadjective

(biology) Capable of adapting to varying conditions; characterized by environmental adaptability.

Vinylnoun

vinyl used as the standard material for records

‘fans had to wait almost a year before the song eventually appeared on vinyl’; ‘sales of vinyl recordings’;

Plasticadjective

Of or pertaining to the inelastic, non-brittle, deformation of a material.

Vinylnoun

a vinyl record

‘he had plenty of tapes and vinyls’;

Plasticadjective

Made of plastic.

Vinylnoun

of or denoting the unsaturated hydrocarbon radical —CH=CH₂, derived from ethylene by removal of a hydrogen atom

‘a vinyl group’;

Plasticadjective

Inferior or not the real thing.

Plasticadjective

Fake.

Plasticadjective

Having the power to give form or fashion to a mass of matter; as, the plastic hand of the Creator.

‘See plastic Nature working to his end.’;

Plasticadjective

Capable of being molded, formed, or modeled, as clay or plaster; - used also figuratively; as, the plastic mind of a child.

Plasticadjective

Pertaining or appropriate to, or characteristic of, molding or modeling; produced by, or appearing as if produced by, molding or modeling; - said of sculpture and the kindred arts, in distinction from painting and the graphic arts.

‘Medallions . . . fraught with the plastic beauty and grace of the palmy days of Italian art.’;

Plasticnoun

A substance composed predominantly of a synthetic organic high polymer capable of being cast or molded; many varieties of plastic are used to produce articles of commerce (after 1900). [MW10 gives origin of word as 1905]

Plasticnoun

generic name for certain synthetic or semisynthetic materials that can be molded or extruded into objects or films or filaments or used for making e.g. coatings and adhesives

Plasticadjective

used of the imagination;

‘material...transformed by the plastic power of the imagination’;

Plasticadjective

capable of being molded or modeled (especially of earth or clay or other soft material);

‘plastic substances such as wax or clay’;

Plasticadjective

capable of being influenced or formed;

‘the plastic minds of children’; ‘a pliant nature’;

Plasticnoun

a synthetic material made from a wide range of organic polymers such as polyethylene, PVC, nylon, etc., that can be moulded into shape while soft, and then set into a rigid or slightly elastic form

‘mains pipes should be made of plastic or copper’; ‘bottles can be made from a variety of plastics’;

Plasticnoun

credit cards or other types of plastic card that can be used as money

‘he pays with cash instead of with plastic’;

Plasticadjective

made of plastic

‘plastic bottles’;

Plasticadjective

not genuine; artificial or unnatural

‘a holiday rep with huge white teeth and a plastic smile’; ‘long-distance flights with their plastic food’;

Plasticadjective

(of a substance or material) easily shaped or moulded

‘rendering the material more plastic’;

Plasticadjective

offering scope for creativity

‘the writer is drawn to words as a plastic medium’;

Plasticadjective

exhibiting adaptability to change or variety in the environment.

Plasticadjective

relating to moulding or modelling in three dimensions, or to produce three-dimensional effects

‘the plastic arts’;

Plasticadjective

(in science and technology) relating to the permanent deformation of a solid without fracture by the temporary application of force.

Plastic

Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as a main ingredient. Their plasticity makes it possible for plastics to be moulded, extruded or pressed into solid objects of various shapes.