poly

¹ American  

[pol-ee] / ˈpɒl i /

noun

plural

polies

1. Informal. polyester.

   a blend of poly and cotton.

2. a fabric or garment made of polyester.

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adjective

1. made of or containing polyester.

   a poly swimsuit.

poly ² American  

[pol-ee] / ˈpɒl i /

adjective

Informal.

1. noting or relating to polyamory; polyamorous.

   They’re in a poly relationship.

2. identifying as polyamorous.

   They’re not monogamous, they’re poly.

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poly- ³ American  

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

   polyandrous; polyculture; polyethylene.

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poly. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. polytechnic.

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poly ¹ British  

/ ˈpɒlɪ /

noun

1. informal short for polytechnic

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adjective

1. informal short for polyester

2. informal short for polythene

poly- ² British  

combining form

1. more than one; many or much

   polyhedron

2. having an excessive or abnormal number or amount

   polycythaemia

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poly– Scientific  

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).

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Usage

What does poly- mean? Poly- is a combining form with multiple meanings. In many terms, it is used like a prefix meaning “much, many.” In terms from chemistry, it denotes "polymeric," meaning "of or relating to a polymer." It is often used in a variety of scientific and technical terms, especially in biology.Poly- comes from Greek polýs, meaning “many.” The Latin equivalent of polýs is multus, also meaning both “much” and “many,” which is the source of the combining form multi-. To learn more, check out our Words That Use article about multi-.

Etymology

Origin of poly¹

By shortening

Origin of poly¹

First recorded in 1990–95; shortening of polyamorous ( def. )

Origin of poly-¹

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

Example Sentences

Gold Coast League co-champions Brentwood and Crossroads have already met twice and could meet a third time in the second round of the Division 1 playoffs if Brentwood defeats Fairmont Prep and Crossroads defeats Long Beach Poly.

From Los Angeles Times

Their 98 points were 10 fewer than they scored against Cal Poly on Dec. 19.

From Los Angeles Times

He lasted just one season and was replaced by former Long Beach Poly coach Raul Lara in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times

Another long-time coach is out at Sun Valley Poly, where Gabe Cerna was replaced by assistant Freddy Flores, who will serve as an interim coach.

From Los Angeles Times

“Partially abandoning the easily embraceable sound he incorporated on recordings with the Fugees and Wyclef Jean, Forté includes some tracks with morbid story lines on his debut album,” The Times said of “Poly Sci” in 1998.

From Los Angeles Times