poly
1[ pol-ee ]
/ ˈpɒl i /
Save This Word!
noun, plural pol·ies.
Informal. polyester (def. 2):a blend of poly and cotton.
a fabric or garment made of polyester.
adjective
made of or containing polyester: a poly swimsuit.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Origin of poly
1By shortening
Words nearby poly
Definition for poly (2 of 4)
poly2
[ pol-ee ]
/ ˈpɒl i /
adjective Informal.
noting or relating to polyamory; polyamorous: They’re in a poly relationship.
identifying as polyamorous: They’re not monogamous, they’re poly.
Origin of poly
2First recorded in 1990–95; shortening of polyamorous
Definition for poly (3 of 4)
poly-
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-
Definition for poly (4 of 4)
poly.
abbreviation
polytechnic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for poly
British Dictionary definitions for poly (1 of 2)
British Dictionary definitions for poly (2 of 2)
poly-
combining form
more than one; many or muchpolyhedron
having an excessive or abnormal number or amountpolycythaemia
Word Origin for poly-
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
Medical definitions for poly
poly-
pref.
More than one; many; much:polyatomic.
More than usual; excessive; abnormal:polydipsia.
Polymer; polymeric:polyethylene.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for poly
poly-
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.