polyethylene
3 synonyms for polyethylene, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A common plastic made of many ethylene units joined together, used for containers and kitchenware.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
polythene
polyethene
How to use polyethylene
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
polyethylene bag
polyethylene film
polyethylene container
high-density polyethylene
It is the technical or chemical name, and everyday speech often uses the shorter 'polythene'.
Etymology
The word is formed in English from the prefix poly- and ethylene, because the material is a polymer of ethylene.
Full origin of polyethylene →Frequently asked questions
What is polyethylene?
Polyethylene is a polymer made of many ethylene units bonded together. It is used for kitchenware, containers and similar items.
Is polyethylene the same as polythene?
Yes, polythene is another name for polyethylene. Polyethene is the IUPAC name for the same material.
What is polyethylene made of?
It is made of many ethylene monomers bonded together into a long chain.
