poly

[ pol-ee ]

/ ˈpɒl i /

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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.

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Origin of poly

By shortening

Words nearby poly

Pol Pot, Polska, Poltava, poltergeist, poltroon, poly, polyacid, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylonitrile, polyadelphous

Other definitions 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

First recorded in 1990–95; shortening of polyamorous

Other definitions 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-

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

Other definitions for poly (4 of 4)

poly.

abbreviation

polytechnic.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use poly in a sentence

A 68-denier polyester fly, a tent body that includes 68- and 75-denier poly, bathtub floors, and an included ground tarp made our testers feel equally confident camping in rainy south Florida and on rocky ground in southern Utah.
These 6 Budget Tents Are Low-Cost, Not Low-Performance|syadron|August 19, 2021|Outside Online
Masks and gaiters made from a higher thread count, and made of a blend of cotton and poly, can provide better blockage of respiratory droplets.
Hints From Heloise: Why did I come in here?|Heloise Heloise|March 4, 2021|Washington Post
Trying to manage a poly lifestyle during the pandemic had been exhausting.
Polyamorous Relationships Under Severe Strain During The Pandemic|LGBTQ-Editor|February 13, 2021|No Straight News
In solo poly, individuals prefer autonomy and give all romantic partners equal standing.
Polyamorous Relationships Under Severe Strain During The Pandemic|LGBTQ-Editor|February 13, 2021|No Straight News

Not only does it have a museum-worthy mid-century design, but its padded poly-cotton fabric makes it a joy to sit in.
Best desk chair for any home office|PopSci Commerce Team|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
Cal Poly Pomona student Heather DeCosta described it as “kind of just boxing us in at all four sides of the street.”
Dispatch From USC Protests over Ferguson|Maya Richard Craven|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Merritt also litters the pages with his own favorite poly-lettered words.
Well, La Ti Da: Stephin Merritt’s Winning Little Words of Scrabble|David Bukszpan|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Someone has to be out about it so people can see that, yes, you can be poly and healthy and happy and in love.
What’s So Bad About an Open Marriage?|Tricia Romano|November 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Poly, the model, said it was cold, but she truly loved the idea of being naked in nature.
Nine Amazing Places To Skinny Dip Around The World|Erin Cunningham|September 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
New Glossy: Condé Nast has released its first issue of Allure Russia, featuring Russian model Natasha Poly on its cover.
Diane von Furstenberg Bests Wintour on Forbes List; Madonna's Swastika Kerfuffle|The Daily Beast|August 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
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.
Little Wizard Stories of Oz|L. Frank Baum
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) /

noun plural polys

informal short for polytechnic

adjective

informal short for polyester

informal short for polythene

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

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).