pleather: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, commercial, sometimes pejorative
Quick answer
What does “pleather” mean?
A cheap, synthetic material designed to imitate leather in appearance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cheap, synthetic material designed to imitate leather in appearance.
Any inexpensive, imitation leather product, often associated with fast fashion or low-quality goods; by extension, can be used figuratively to describe something artificial or inauthentic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used and understood in both dialects with no significant variation in meaning.
Connotations
Predominantly negative, suggesting tackiness, cheapness, or poor environmental credentials. The connotation is slightly stronger in British English, where 'pleather' often carries a more overtly dismissive tone.
Frequency
Low to medium frequency in both dialects, found in fashion commentary, consumer reviews, and informal speech.
Grammar
How to Use “pleather” in a Sentence
made of pleathera [garment/item] of pleatherpleather [noun] (e.g., pleather upholstery)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pleather” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; extremely rare)
American English
- (Not standard; extremely rare)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- The pleather trim on the car seats started to peel in the summer heat.
- She found a pleather miniskirt in the vintage shop.
American English
- The office chair's pleather surface was sticky in the humidity.
- He wore a pleather vest to the costume party.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail, manufacturing, and fashion to describe low-cost materials for mass-market products.
Academic
Rare; might appear in texts on material science, consumer culture, or sustainable fashion critiques.
Everyday
Used when discussing clothing, furniture, or accessories, often to criticise quality or authenticity.
Technical
A non-technical term; the technical category is 'plastic-coated fabric' or 'polyurethane laminate'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pleather”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pleather”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pleather”
- Misspelling as 'plether' or 'pleathur'.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'I bought three pleathers') – it is a mass noun.
- Confusing it with specific types like 'suede' or 'nubuck', which are finishes on genuine leather.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In material composition, they are often the same (plastic-based). 'Vegan leather' is a positive marketing term used to avoid the negative connotations of 'pleather' and appeal to ethical consumers.
Yes, generally it is water-resistant due to its plastic coating, making it easy to wipe clean. However, seams and stitching may not be sealed.
It is typically made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane (PU), which are petroleum-based plastics. These are not biodegradable and can release harmful chemicals during production and disposal.
They are essentially synonyms. 'Leatherette' is a slightly older, more formal commercial term, while 'pleather' is a more modern, informal, and often more critical term.
A cheap, synthetic material designed to imitate leather in appearance.
Pleather is usually informal, commercial, sometimes pejorative in register.
Pleather: in British English it is pronounced /ˈplɛðə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈplɛðər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. Figurative use: 'His apology felt like pleather – shiny on the surface but completely artificial.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PLastic leATHER' squashed together. If it's PLEATHER, it's probably not real leather.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARTIFICIALITY IS A CHEAP IMITATION (Pleather represents the fake substitute that fails to match the quality or authenticity of the original).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of describing a product as 'pleather'?