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• poly
  poly

  noun

  polyester.
• poly-
  poly-

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

  abbreviation

  polytechnic.
• 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).

poly

¹ American  

[pol-ee] / ˈpɒl i /

noun

polies plural

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  

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 ² British  

/ ˈpɒlɪ /

noun

1. informal short for polytechnic

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adjective

1. informal short for polyester

2. informal short for polythene

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-.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• polies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of poly¹

By shortening

Origin of poly²

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

Origin of poly-³

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

Example Sentences

PFAS, which stands for poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, are resistant to oil and water, making them highly valuable to the make-up industry.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2023

Thomas Isaac is an excellent example of this phenomena with his disavowing of religion in a country that is both poly- and monotheistic and where prayers and mantras are a way of life.

From Washington Post • Oct. 31, 2017

Not that I dis- allow of second marriage; as neither in all cases of poly- gamy, which considering some times, and the unequal number of both sexes, may be also necessary.

From Religio Medici, Hydriotaphia, and the Letter to a Friend by Browne, Thomas, Sir

There were Santiago’s Lares, and if we use this word, it is because the master of the house was rather a poly- than a monotheist.

From An Eagle Flight A Filipino Novel Adapted from Noli Me Tangere by Rizal, José