poly

¹

[pol-ee]

noun

plural

polies 

1. Informal.,  polyester.

   a blend of poly and cotton.

2. a fabric or garment made of polyester.

adjective

1. made of or containing polyester.

   a poly swimsuit.

poly

²

[pol-ee]

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.

poly-

³

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

   polyandrous; polyculture; polyethylene.

poly.

⁴

abbreviation

1. polytechnic.

poly

¹

/ ˈpɒlɪ /

noun

1. informal,  short for polytechnic

adjective

1. informal,  short for polyester

2. informal,  short for polythene

poly-

²

combining form

1. more than one; many or much

   polyhedron

2. having an excessive or abnormal number or amount

   polycythaemia

poly–

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).

Word History and Origins

Origin of poly¹

By shortening

Origin of poly²

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

Origin of poly³

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of poly¹

from Greek polus much, many; related to Old English fela many

Example Sentences

He briefly went to Long Beach Poly for two days at the start of his junior year before returning to Los Alamitos, which forced him to sit out all last season.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Bonta is also settling with four plastic bag producers: Revolution Sustainable Solutions, Metro Poly, PreZero US Packaging, and Advance Polybag, resolving allegations that they violated the same laws.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At a news conference Friday, Bonta also announced a settlement with four plastic bag producers — Revolution, Metro Poly, PreZero and API — who have agreed to halt plastic bag sales in the state and collectively pay more than $1.7 million for allegedly selling plastic bags that could not be recycled.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There are several Nike-sponsored billboards popping up around town featuring Long Beach Poly freshman 800-meter runner Laila Kirk, who is a two-time national AAU champion.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her mother, Angelita, ran track at Poly and Washington State.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When To Use

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-.