English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun

acetate

AS-ih-tayt

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Acetate (noun) means In chemistry, any salt or ester formed from acetic acid. Example: “Sodium acetate is used as a food preservative.”

noun

1

technical In chemistry, any salt or ester formed from acetic acid.

"Sodium acetate is used as a food preservative."

"The reaction produced an acetate as a by-product."

"Vitamin E acetate is a common ingredient in skin creams."

2

A clear plastic material, especially cellulose acetate, used to make thin sheets for overlays and film.

"The designer laid a sheet of acetate over the artwork to protect it."

"Old photographic film was often made from acetate."

"She used acetate sheets to create a stencil for the print."

How to use acetate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a vinegar-based chemical compound or the clear plastic sheet made from it.

When to use it

The chemistry sense is technical, while the plastic-sheet sense is used in everyday craft and design contexts.

Memory tip

Remember the vinegar link: acetate shares its root with acetic acid, the acid that gives vinegar its sourness.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

acetone →

Common pairings

sheet of acetate cellulose acetate sodium acetate acetate film

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “acetate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Sodium _____ is used as a food preservative.

Etymology

Acetate comes from the Latin word acetum, meaning vinegar, joined with the suffix -ate used for chemical salts and esters. It is related to the Latin verb aceo, to be sour, reflecting vinegar's sharp taste.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

ethanoate

Rhymes for acetate

ate date rate mate abate slate plate state create update locate relate

See all rhymes for acetate →

Frequently asked questions

What is acetate made of?

Chemically, an acetate is a salt or ester of acetic acid; the material called acetate is usually cellulose acetate, a clear plastic.

What is acetate used for?

It is used to make transparent sheets for overlays and film, and various acetate compounds appear in products such as preservatives and creams.

Is acetate the same as plastic?

Cellulose acetate is one type of plastic, made from a chemical reaction with acetic acid, rather than plastic in general.

What is the meaning of acetate?

"acetate" (noun) means in chemistry, any salt or ester formed from acetic acid.