methacrylate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
TechnicalFormal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “methacrylate” mean?
A chemical compound, specifically an ester or salt of methacrylic acid, used in the production of plastics and resins.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical compound, specifically an ester or salt of methacrylic acid, used in the production of plastics and resins.
Refers to polymers and copolymers derived from methacrylate monomers, commonly found in materials like plexiglass, adhesives, coatings, and dental products.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Neutral and strictly technical in both variants.
Frequency
Equally common in technical fields such as chemistry and materials science in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “methacrylate” in a Sentence
noun + of + noun (e.g., methacrylate of methyl)adjective + methacrylate (e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate))Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “methacrylate” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The methacrylate coating on the surface provides excellent durability.
American English
- We used a methacrylate adhesive for the quick-setting bond.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in industries manufacturing plastics, adhesives, or coatings, often in supply chains and product specifications.
Academic
Common in chemistry, materials science, and engineering research papers, particularly in polymer studies.
Everyday
Rarely used; may appear on product labels for DIY materials or safety data sheets.
Technical
Standard term in polymer chemistry, industrial applications, and material safety documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “methacrylate”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “methacrylate”
- Misspelling as 'methacrylicate' or 'methacrylate' with an extra 'i'.
- Mispronunciation by stressing the first syllable (e.g., /ˈmɛθəkraɪleɪt/) instead of the standard stress.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Methacrylate is a chemical compound, typically an ester of methacrylic acid, used as a monomer to produce plastics and resins.
In its polymerized form (e.g., plexiglass), it is generally safe, but the liquid monomer can be irritating and requires proper handling with safety equipment.
In products like acrylic glass (plexiglass), dental fillings, adhesives, coatings on electronics, and some nail polishes.
Methacrylate has a methyl group (-CH3) attached to the alpha carbon, making it more rigid and durable than acrylate, which lacks this group.
A chemical compound, specifically an ester or salt of methacrylic acid, used in the production of plastics and resins.
Methacrylate is usually formal/technical in register.
Methacrylate: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛθəˈkraɪleɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛθəˈkraɪleɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'meth-' as in methane (a simple chemical) and 'acrylate' as in acrylic paint, so methacrylate is a chemical used to make clear plastics like acrylic glass.
Conceptual Metaphor
Building block for transparent materials, often visualized as 'liquid glass' when in monomer form before polymerization.
Practice
Quiz
In which industry is methacrylate most commonly used?