What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vinyl
Example
The upholstery on the car seats is made of vinyl. [vinyl: noun]
Example
I love the sound quality of vinyl records. [vinyl: adjective]
Example
We decided to install vinyl flooring in the kitchen. [vinyl: noun]
polymer
Example
The plastic container is made of polymer. [polymer: noun]
Example
The tires on my bike are made of a polymer material. [polymer: adjective]
Example
She is studying polymer chemistry in college. [polymer: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Polymer is a more commonly used term than vinyl in scientific and technical contexts, while vinyl is more commonly used in everyday language to refer to specific products such as flooring or music records.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vinyl and polymer?
Polymer is a more formal term than vinyl, which is often used in casual and informal contexts.
