clingfilm: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Everyday, informal, domestic
Quick answer
What does “clingfilm” mean?
A thin, transparent plastic film that adheres to surfaces, used primarily for wrapping food.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thin, transparent plastic film that adheres to surfaces, used primarily for wrapping food.
Can metaphorically refer to any thin, adhesive layer or to describe something that clings tightly and transparently.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word 'clingfilm' is standard in British English. In American English, the common equivalent is 'plastic wrap' or the brand name 'Saran wrap'.
Connotations
In British contexts, it's a generic, household term. In American contexts, using 'clingfilm' might sound British or slightly technical.
Frequency
Very high frequency in UK domestic contexts; low frequency in US, where 'plastic wrap' dominates.
Grammar
How to Use “clingfilm” in a Sentence
[wrap/cover/seal] + [something] + with/in + clingfilmclingfilm + [adheres/clings/sticks] + to + [surface]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clingfilm” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She carefully clingfilmed the leftovers before putting them in the fridge.
American English
- He plastic-wrapped the bowl tightly.
adverb
British English
- She wrapped the sandwich clingfilm-tight.
adjective
British English
- The clingfilm seal wasn't tight enough.
American English
- The plastic-wrap cover kept the salad fresh.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in packaging, manufacturing, or retail contexts for fresh food.
Academic
Rare, except in materials science discussing polymer films.
Everyday
Very common in domestic kitchen contexts for food preservation.
Technical
Used in industrial packaging; specific types include PVC or LDPE cling film.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clingfilm”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “clingfilm”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clingfilm”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a clingfilm').
- Confusing it with 'cellophane', which is crisper and non-adhesive.
- In US contexts, using 'clingfilm' and expecting immediate comprehension.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is typically a mass noun. You refer to 'some clingfilm', 'a piece of clingfilm', or 'a roll of clingfilm'.
You might be understood, but 'plastic wrap', 'Saran wrap', or 'Glad wrap' are far more common and natural in American English.
Clingfilm is thin, stretchy, and adhesive. Cellophane is stiffer, crisper, and non-adhesive, often used for gift wrapping or candy.
Traditional clingfilm is often single-use plastic and not easily recyclable, leading to environmental concerns and a search for sustainable alternatives like beeswax wraps.
A thin, transparent plastic film that adheres to surfaces, used primarily for wrapping food.
Clingfilm is usually everyday, informal, domestic in register.
Clingfilm: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklɪŋfɪlm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklɪŋfɪlm/ (rarely used); /ˈplæstɪk ræp/ for the equivalent. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like clingfilm (to describe something that is overly attached or suffocating)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the film CLINGing to a bowl. CLING + FILM = Clingfilm.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRANSPARENT PROTECTION IS A CLINGING FILM; INTIMACY/SUFFOCATION IS CLINGFILM.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most common American English equivalent for 'clingfilm'?