terylene: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Trademark, Technical, Everyday (UK-specific)
Quick answer
What does “terylene” mean?
A synthetic polyester fibre used especially in clothing and textiles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A synthetic polyester fibre used especially in clothing and textiles.
A trademark for a type of polyester fabric known for its durability and resistance to creasing and shrinking. The term is often used generically in the UK for polyester fabrics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'Terylene' is a well-known, often genericised trademark for polyester fabric. In American English, 'polyester' or specific brand names like 'Dacron' are used; 'Terylene' is rarely recognised.
Connotations
In the UK, it can have slightly dated, mid-to-late 20th-century connotations, associated with certain eras of fashion and home furnishings.
Frequency
High frequency in UK technical/textile contexts and older general use; very low to zero frequency in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “terylene” in a Sentence
[garment] made of Terylenea [noun] of TeryleneTerylene [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “terylene” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The curtains were made from a bright Terylene mix.
- He favoured the easy-care nature of his Terylene trousers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in textile manufacturing and retail specifications, particularly in the UK.
Academic
Appears in materials science, textile engineering, and historical studies of synthetic materials.
Everyday
Used by older generations in the UK; younger speakers typically say 'polyester'.
Technical
Precise term for a specific type of polyester fibre with defined properties.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “terylene”
- Misspelling as 'terelene' or 'terilyne'.
- Using it as a general term for any synthetic fibre outside a UK context.
- Using it as a verb ('to terylene').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Terylene is a synthetic polyester fibre, a product of chemical engineering.
It is not recommended, as the term is largely unrecognised. Use 'polyester' or the US trademark 'Dacron'.
Yes, the trademark 'Terylene' is still owned and used by specific manufacturers, though the term is less common now than in the mid-20th century.
Its main historical advantages were durability, resistance to creasing and shrinking, and quick-drying properties, making it popular for 'easy-care' clothing.
A synthetic polyester fibre used especially in clothing and textiles.
Terylene is usually trademark, technical, everyday (uk-specific) in register.
Terylene: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɛrɪliːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɛrəˌlin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Drip-dry Terylene (historical advertising phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TERYlene is a TERrific, durable YARN for clothing.
Conceptual Metaphor
SYNTHETIC IS ARTIFICIAL / DURABLE IS PERMANENT
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'Terylene' commonly used as a generic term for polyester fabric?