plastic
PLAS-tihk
Plastic (noun) means a synthetic material made from polymers that can be molded into shape when soft and then set solid. Example: “Most food packaging today is made of plastic.”
noun
1
A synthetic material made from polymers that can be molded into shape when soft and then set solid.
"Most food packaging today is made of plastic."
"The toy was cheaply made from thin plastic."
"Plastic floats on water, which is why bottles end up drifting out to sea."
2
Credit or debit cards used instead of cash.
"He paid for the whole trip on plastic."
"Many shops now prefer plastic to cash, and some refuse notes altogether."
"I left my wallet at home, so I only have plastic with me."
adj
1
Capable of being molded or shaped; flexible rather than rigid.
"Clay is plastic enough to be shaped by hand before it dries."
"Warm wax is plastic enough to be pressed into any mould you like."
"The metal is quite plastic when hot, so the smith can bend it easily."
2
Fake or insincere, especially in a shallow, image-conscious way.
"She found the celebrity party crowd plastic and exhausting."
"I found his plastic smile and rehearsed compliments hard to trust."
"The show felt plastic, full of people who only cared about being seen."
How to use plastic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA moldable synthetic material; also slang for credit cards, and an adjective for anything moldable or (informally) fake.
Common pairings
plastic bag
pay by plastic
plastic surgery
plastic smile
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Word forms
- Plural
- plastics
- Comparative
- more plastic
- Superlative
- most plastic
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Most food packaging today is made of _____.
Etymology
From Greek plastikos, "able to be molded," from plassein, "to mold or form" — the same root as "plasma."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for plastic
See all rhymes for plastic →Frequently asked questions
What does “plastic” mean?
The word “plastic” means a synthetic material made from polymers that can be molded into shape when soft and then set solid. In plain terms, a moldable synthetic material; also slang for credit cards, and an adjective for anything moldable or (informally) fake.
How do you pronounce “plastic”?
“Plastic” is pronounced PLAS-tihk (/ˈplæstɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “plastic” in a sentence?
Here is “plastic” used in a sentence: “Most food packaging today is made of plastic.”
What part of speech is “plastic”?
Depending on how it is used, “plastic” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “plastic” come from?
The word “plastic” comes from Greek. From Greek plastikos, "able to be molded," from plassein, "to mold or form" — the same root as "plasma.".
Is “plastic” a common word?
“Plastic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “plastic” have?
“Plastic” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a synthetic material made from polymers that can be molded into shape when soft and then set solid.
What is plastic made from?
Plastic is made from polymers — long chains of molecules — most of which are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or other fossil fuels. Chemicals are processed into these polymers, then heated and shaped. Some newer plastics are instead made from plant sources such as corn starch.
What are the main types of plastic?
Plastics fall into two broad groups. Thermoplastics, like PET and polyethylene, soften when heated and can be remelted and reshaped repeatedly. Thermosets, like epoxy, set permanently once formed and cannot be remelted. Everyday items from bottles to packaging use different plastics chosen for their particular properties.
Is all plastic recyclable?
No. Only certain types of plastic are widely recyclable, and they are marked with resin identification codes numbered one to seven. Bottles made from PET or HDPE are commonly accepted, while many mixed or flexible plastics are not, which is part of why plastic waste is such a challenge.
Why is plastic bad for the environment?
Most plastic does not biodegrade; it can persist for hundreds of years, breaking into tiny microplastics that pollute soil, rivers, and oceans and harm wildlife. Because production relies on fossil fuels and recycling rates are low, plastic waste builds up faster than nature can deal with it.
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