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

It was a second consecutive subpar showing for Booker, who finished with six points and one rebound in 13 minutes after being limited to three minutes against Cal Poly last week because of matchups.

From Los Angeles Times

In the dining room, a reproduction of a Millard Sheets painting, rendered by Cal Poly Pomona students on Tyvek, is mounted on a cork-lined wall.

From Los Angeles Times

Lineman: Blake Graham, Leuzinger, 6-3, 300, Sr. — The Cal Poly commit cleared the way for more than 2,600 yards rushing for a team that won the Bay League title.

From Los Angeles Times

On the day, she served Christmas cocktails and jam roly poly, with '80s music playing and a quiz about the decade.

From BBC

The Cal Poly logo on the front of the opponents’ jerseys did not elicit the same sort of spirited effort the Bruins had given against more brand-name foes, continuing a troubling trend going back to the season opener.

From Los Angeles Times