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Definition of vinyl

vinyl

/ˈvaɪnəl/
vi · nyl

Plural:vinyls
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vinyl Lexical Profile

vinyl Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A synthetic plastic consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a related polymer, commonly used for wallpapers, floor coverings, and upholstery.

Example

"The vintage diner was famous for its black and white checkered floors and bright red vinyl booths."


2

Phonograph records collectively, especially those manufactured from polyvinyl chloride.

Example

"He spent the entire Saturday afternoon digging through crates of vintage vinyl at the local record shop."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for vinyl

Word Nuance & Usage

When referring to phonograph records, 'vinyl' is traditionally used as an uncountable mass noun (e.g., 'playing vinyl'); the plural form 'vinyls' is often criticized by music collectors, who prefer the term 'records'.

• Rhymes for vinyl

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1863 from Latin 'vinum' (wine) due to its relationship with ethyl alcohol, combined with the chemical suffix '-yl' (from Greek 'hyle', meaning wood or matter).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Vinyl. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/vinyl
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