poly

1
[ pol-ee ]

noun,plural pol·ies.
  1. Informal. polyester (def. 2):a blend of poly and cotton.

  2. a fabric or garment made of polyester.

adjective
  1. made of or containing polyester: a poly swimsuit.

Origin of poly

1
By shortening

Other definitions for poly (2 of 4)

poly2
[ pol-ee ]

adjectiveInformal.
  1. noting or relating to polyamory; polyamorous: They’re in a poly relationship.

  2. identifying as polyamorous: They’re not monogamous, they’re poly.

Origin of poly

2
First recorded in 1990–95; shortening of polyamorous

Other definitions for poly- (3 of 4)

poly-

  1. a combining form with the meanings “much, many” and, in chemistry, “polymeric,” used in the formation of compound words: polyandrous; polyculture; polyethylene.

Origin of poly-

3
<Greek, combining form representing polýs; akin to Old English fela many. See plus

Other definitions for poly. (4 of 4)

poly.

abbreviation
  1. polytechnic.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use poly in a sentence

  • Please take the dent out of my side, poly, for I am more crippled than was the Soldier.

    The Tin Woodman of Oz | L. Frank Baum
  • No one ever forgot the roly-poly pudding made without suet; synthetic rubber was its scientific name.

    The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas Mawson
  • In the shape of pigs—fat, roly-poly and cute—they scampered off a little distance and sat down to think about their new condition.

  • He was a roly-poly little man; over seventy now but still healthy-looking, with an apple-cheeked, sunburned face.

    Gone Fishing | James H. Schmitz
  • Roast stuffed duckling with baked potatoes, string beans and brussels sprouts, jam roly-poly and coffee!

    The Viking Blood | Frederick William Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for poly (1 of 2)

poly

/ (ˈpɒlɪ) /


nounplural polys
  1. informal short for polytechnic

adjective
  1. informal short for polyester

  2. informal short for polythene

British Dictionary definitions for poly- (2 of 2)

poly-

combining form
  1. more than one; many or much: polyhedron

  2. having an excessive or abnormal number or amount: polycythaemia

Origin of poly-

2
from Greek polus much, many; related to Old English fela many

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for poly-

poly-

  1. A prefix meaning “many,” as in polygon, a figure having many sides. In chemistry, it is used to form the names of polymers by being attached to the name of the base unit of which the polymer is made, as in polysaccharide, a polymer made of repeating simple sugars (monosaccharides).

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.