nylon

nylon — noun

1. a strong, flexible man-made material produced in factories from chemicals; manuf

1.nounB1
Definition

a strong, flexible man-made material produced in factories from chemicals; manufacturers turn it into everyday items such as clothing, bags, ropes, and brushes

Example

Amani packed her camping gear in a lightweight nylon backpack.

nylon + noun (modifier): nylon backpack

The climbing rope is made of thick nylon to keep climbers safe.

passive: made of nylon

Common collocations
  • nylon fabric
  • nylon rope
  • nylon thread
  • nylon jacket
  • nylon tent
  • nylon bristles
  • nylon webbing
  • nylon backpack
Synonyms
  • polyester

    another common synthetic fiber; less stretchy than nylon and dries faster

  • acrylic

    a synthetic fiber designed to feel soft like wool, used mainly in clothing

  • spandex

    an extremely stretchy synthetic fiber, often blended with other materials for sportswear

Antonyms
  • cotton

    a natural fiber from cotton plants, softer but less strong than nylon

  • wool

    a natural animal fiber, warmer but heavier and slower to dry than nylon

  • silk

    a natural protein fiber produced by silkworms, smoother but much more expensive

Grammar Patterns

nylon + noun (as modifier: nylon jacket / nylon rope)

Common Mistakes

Nylon is a natural fiber that comes from plants.
Nylon is a synthetic fiber made from chemicals.
Nylon is man-made in factories, not grown or harvested from nature.

2. women's leg coverings knitted from fine nylon thread, including stockings that s

2.nounB2
Definition

women's leg coverings knitted from fine nylon thread, including stockings that stop at the thigh and tights that cover the whole leg

Example

Noa wore nylon stockings with her new dress to the wedding.

collocation: nylon stockings / nylon tights

Walid bought his grandmother a pair of warm nylon tights.

Common collocations
  • nylon stockings
  • nylon tights
  • pair of nylons
  • run in her nylons
Synonyms
  • stockings

    a more general term for leg coverings, not limited to nylon material

  • tights

    a thicker, full-leg covering that also covers the feet, often replacing nylons in modern use

  • pantyhose

    an American term for tights that cover from waist to toes

Usage Note

Almost always used in the plural form (nylons) when referring to stockings or tights. This meaning can sound slightly old-fashioned; many younger speakers today prefer 'tights' or 'stockings'.

Common Mistakes

She bought a nylon for the party.
She bought a pair of nylons for the party.
When referring to stockings or tights, this sense is used in the plural.

Word family

  • nylons
    plural nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Nylon, polyester, acrylic, and spandex are all synthetic fibers, but each has distinct properties. Nylon is known for being strong, elastic, and resistant to wear — it is the go-to material for ropes, backpacks, and outerwear where durability matters most. Polyester is less stretchy and dries even faster than nylon, making it the top choice for sportswear, bedding, and quick-dry travel clothes. Acrylic is engineered to feel soft like wool without the weight, so it is widely used in sweaters, scarves, and blankets. Spandex (also called elastane) can stretch to several times its original length and is blended into athletic wear, swimsuits, and tight-fitting garments. In practical terms, a climbing rope is almost always nylon for its strength, while a running shirt is more likely polyester, and a yoga outfit often contains spandex for flexibility.

polyester ↗acrylic ↗spandex

Common collocations

Nouns

  • nylon production
  • nylon fiber
  • nylon industry

Prepositions

  • made of nylon
  • made from nylon

Etymology

English (invented brand name)

Nylon was invented in 1935 by the American chemist Wallace Carothers while working at the DuPont chemical company. It was the world's first completely synthetic fiber — made entirely from chemicals rather than from plants or animals. The name 'nylon' was chosen as a brand name with no specific meaning, though popular stories claim it blends letters from 'New York' and 'London'. Nylon stockings went on sale to the public in 1939 and caused a sensation, with millions of pairs sold on the first day.