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noun C1 Advanced Uncommon

resin

REH-zihn

Resin (noun) means a sticky substance produced by certain plants, or a similar synthetic material used in varnishes, adhesives, and plastics. Example: “Pine resin was used to seal the wooden boat.”

noun
1
A sticky substance produced by certain plants, or a similar synthetic material used in varnishes, adhesives, and plastics.
"Pine resin was used to seal the wooden boat."
"The countertop is made from a durable synthetic resin."

How to Use Resin

Learner’s notes
Common pairings
pine resin synthetic resin resin coating

Word Forms

resined past tense, resins plural, resins singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Pine _____ was used to seal the wooden boat.

Etymology

From Old French résine, from Latin resina, itself from Greek rhetine.

Origin: Latin

sap gum rosin

Related Words

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “resin” mean?

The word “resin” means a sticky substance produced by certain plants, or a similar synthetic material used in varnishes, adhesives, and plastics.

How do you pronounce “resin”?

“Resin” is pronounced REH-zihn (/ˈɹɛzɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “resin” in a sentence?

Here is “resin” used in a sentence: “Pine resin was used to seal the wooden boat.”

What part of speech is “resin”?

“Resin” is a noun.

Where does the word “resin” come from?

The word “resin” comes from Latin. From Old French résine, from Latin resina, itself from Greek rhetine.

Is “resin” a common word?

“Resin” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

What is the difference between resin and sap?

Sap is the general fluid that circulates through a plant carrying water and nutrients, while resin is a thicker, sticky secretion many trees and plants produce, often in response to injury, that hardens on exposure to air. Not all sap becomes resin, but resin is typically the more viscous, protective substance associated with conifers and certain other plants.

What is the difference between natural resin and synthetic resin?

Natural resin is produced by plants such as pine and amber-forming trees, whereas synthetic resin is manufactured chemically to mimic similar properties for use in varnishes, adhesives, and plastics. Synthetic resins are generally more consistent and durable, which is why they dominate modern industrial and craft applications.

What is resin used for?

Resin is used to make varnishes, adhesives, and plastics, and it also appears in art and craft casting, jewelry making, and coatings. Its sticky, hardening quality makes it valuable both in its natural plant-derived form and as a synthetic material.

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