adj

synthetic

sihn-THEH-tihk

adj

Made by chemical or industrial synthesis rather than occurring naturally, though it may closely match a natural equivalent.

"The jacket is made from a synthetic fabric rather than real leather."

"Synthetic vitamin C works the same way in the body as the natural version."

Artificial or fake rather than genuine.

"Her smile felt synthetic, like it was rehearsed."

noun

A material or substance produced by synthesis rather than found in nature.

"The company switched from natural rubber to a cheaper synthetic."

How to Use Synthetic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishArtificially made rather than natural — often used for fabrics, chemicals, and materials that imitate a natural original.

Easily confused with

synthesis →

Common pairings

synthetic fabric synthetic drug synthetic material

more synthetic comparative, synthetics plural, most synthetic superlative

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The jacket is made from a _____ fabric rather than real leather.

From French synthétique, from Ancient Greek sunthetikos, related to "synthesis."

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