latex
Latex (noun) means the milky fluid produced by certain plants, especially rubber trees, that hardens on contact with air and is used to make rubber. Example: “Workers collect latex from rubber trees by cutting into the bark.”
How to use latex
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA milky plant fluid, or the rubbery material made from it (and similar synthetics).
Don't confuse with LaTeX, the typesetting software — same spelling family, totally different thing (and pronounced differently: "lay-tech" or "lah-tech").
Word forms
latices plural, latexes plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Workers collect _____ from rubber trees by cutting into the bark.
Etymology
From New Latin latex, itself from an earlier Latin word for "liquid" or "fluid".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “latex” mean?
The word “latex” means the milky fluid produced by certain plants, especially rubber trees, that hardens on contact with air and is used to make rubber. In plain terms, a milky plant fluid, or the rubbery material made from it (and similar synthetics).
How do you pronounce “latex”?
“Latex” is pronounced LAY-tehks (/ˈleɪˌtɛks/ in IPA).
How do you use “latex” in a sentence?
Here is “latex” used in a sentence: “Workers collect latex from rubber trees by cutting into the bark.”
What part of speech is “latex”?
“Latex” is a noun.
Where does the word “latex” come from?
The word “latex” comes from New Latin. From New Latin latex, itself from an earlier Latin word for "liquid" or "fluid".
Is “latex” a common word?
“Latex” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “latex” have?
“Latex” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the milky fluid produced by certain plants, especially rubber trees, that hardens on contact with air and is used to make rubber.
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