acrylonitrile

noun ac·ry·lo·ni·trile \ˌa-krə-lō-ˈnī-trəl, -ˌtrēl\

Definition of ACRYLONITRILE

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid nitrile C₃H₃N used chiefly in organic synthesis and for polymerization

acrylic + -o- + nitrile

First Known Use: 1893

Medical Dictionary

noun ac·ry·lo·ni·trile \ˌak-rə-lō-ˈnī-trəl, -ˌtrēl\

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid nitrile C₃H₃N used chiefly in organic synthesis and for polymerization

Next Word in the Dictionary: acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrenePrevious Word in the Dictionary: acrylic resinAll Words Near: acrylonitrile

What made you want to look up acrylonitrile? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears