Abstract: A vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsion comprising an aqueous colloidal dispersion of a copolymer containing 65 to 90 wt % vinyl acetate and 10 to 35 wt % ethylene prepared by the emulsion polymerization of the monomers in the presence of a stabilizing system consisting essentially of an 86 to 90 mole % partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, a 98 to 99+ mole % fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, in a partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol:fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol weight ratio from 3:1 to 1:3, and a nonionic polyalkoxylated surfactant.Also disclosed is a carpet backing adhesive composition comprising such a vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsion, about 0.1 to 3 parts by weight dispersant, about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight thickening agent and between 300 and about 1000 parts by weight filler, all of the components being per 100 parts of the copolymer.