name
Teflon
TEHF-lon
Teflon (name) means a brand name for a non-stick coating material (PTFE) used on cookware and other products. Example: “The pan has a Teflon coating so food doesn't stick.”
name
1
A brand name for a non-stick coating material (PTFE) used on cookware and other products.
"The pan has a Teflon coating so food doesn't stick."
adj
1
Seemingly immune to criticism or blame, as if nothing bad sticks to the person.
"The politician earned a Teflon reputation, surviving scandal after scandal."
How to use Teflon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally a non-stick coating brand; figuratively describes someone criticism just slides off.
Common pairings
Teflon coating
Teflon reputation
Teflon politician
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Teflon.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Teflons
- Comparative
- more teflon
- Superlative
- most teflon
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pan has a _____ coating so food doesn't stick.
Etymology
A 1940s trade name built from parts of "tetrafluoroethylene", modelled after other material names like nylon.
Class of 1940
Teflon joined the language around 1940.
See the full Class of 1940 →
Synonyms
View more →
polytetrafluoroethylene
Frequently asked questions
What does “Teflon” mean?
The word “Teflon” means a brand name for a non-stick coating material (PTFE) used on cookware and other products. In plain terms, literally a non-stick coating brand; figuratively describes someone criticism just slides off.
How do you pronounce “Teflon”?
“Teflon” is pronounced TEHF-lon (/ˈtɛflɒn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Teflon” in a sentence?
Here is “Teflon” used in a sentence: “The pan has a Teflon coating so food doesn't stick.”
What part of speech is “Teflon”?
Depending on how it is used, “Teflon” can be a name and an adjective.
Where does the word “Teflon” come from?
The word “Teflon” dates back to around 1940. A 1940s trade name built from parts of "tetrafluoroethylene", modelled after other material names like nylon.
How many meanings does “Teflon” have?
“Teflon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brand name for a non-stick coating material (PTFE) used on cookware and other products.
