Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- A trademark for a waxy, opaque material, polytetrafluoroethylene, employed as a coating on cooking utensils and in industrial applications to prevent sticking. This trademark often occurs in figurative contexts in print.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- proper noun trademark Multiple film, resin, coatings, fabric and surface protectors made with
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene ) or fluoropolymer and surfactants not made with PTFE. - adjective informal (of a politician) Having an
undamageable reputation (by analogy withnonstick Teflon surfaces).
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a material used to coat cooking utensils and in industrial applications where sticking is to be avoided
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word Teflon.
Examples
-
He was acquitted of murder and racketeering twice, earning him the nickname Teflon Don, but was finally convicted in 1992.
FOXNews.com foxnewsonline@foxnews.com 2011
-
Key has earned the nickname "Teflon John" for the way that nothing politically damaging seems to stick to him.
-
Mr Key has earned the nickname "Teflon John" for the way that nothing politically damaging seems to stick to him.
WalesOnline - Home WalesOnline 2011
-
He was acquitted of murder and racketeering twice, earning him the nickname Teflon Don, but was finally convicted in 1992.
FOXNews.com Jo Piazza 2011
-
Key has earned the nickname "Teflon John" for the way that nothing politically damaging seems to stick to him.
-
John Travolta has been cast to play John Gotti Sr., the mob family's patriarch who had a flair for style and a knack for avoiding convictions that earned him the name "Teflon Don."
The Seattle Times 2011
-
Teflon is very durable but will burn off if you get the temperatures too high (take a look at your Teflon coated cookware), though that is not likely to happen on a regular use hunting rifle.
What is more rust resistant stainless steel or the newer teflon coatings? 2010
-
Teflon is very durable but will burn off if you get the temperatures too high (take a look at your Teflon coated cookware), though that is not likely to happen on a regular use hunting rifle.
What is more rust resistant stainless steel or the newer teflon coatings? 2010
-
Teflon is from DuPont, so far as I can tell it has nothing to do with NASA either.
Pancakes from space. 2009
-
Equating Palin at such an early stage of her career to political giants like Reagan and Clinton - whose careers defined the term "Teflon" - is high praise indeed, and based on Palin's strong approval ratings it's obviously warranted.
FITSNews 2008
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.