Definition

1. Noun:
   • A synthetic fabric made to resemble leather: "Leatherette" refers to an artificial material manufactured to imitate the appearance and texture of genuine leather, often used as a less expensive alternative.

Usage

• "Leatherette" is used as a non-count noun to describe the material itself. It is commonly used in contexts discussing furniture upholstery, bookbinding, fashion accessories, and automotive interiors where a leather-like appearance is desired without the cost of real leather.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The car seats were upholstered in durable black leatherette.
  • She bought a handbag made of leatherette because it was more affordable than genuine leather.
  • The old sofa was recovered with a brown leatherette fabric.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: "Leatherette" is frequently used attributively (like an adjective) before another noun to describe an item made from this material.
  • He preferred the leatherette jacket to the real one for easy cleaning.
  • The company ordered 500 leatherette binders for the conference.

Variants and Related Words

• Faux leather (n): A synonym for leatherette, meaning artificial leather.
• Vinyl (n): A type of plastic material that is often used to make leatherette, though not all vinyl is leatherette and not all leatherette is vinyl.
• Pleather (n, informal): A portmanteau of "plastic" and "leather," colloquially referring to synthetic leather materials.

Synonyms

• Artificial leather
• Synthetic leather
• Imitation leather
• Faux leather

Antonyms

• Genuine leather
• Real leather
• Full-grain leather

Related Phrases and Terms

• Leatherette trim: Refers to decorative edges or details on an item made from this material.
  • The notebook had gold lettering on a leatherette trim.
• Leatherette finish: Describes a surface that has been treated or coated to look like leatherette.
  • The photo album had a leatherette finish that gave it a classic look.

Noun

1. fabric made to look like leather