Styrofoam
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of Styrofoam
C20: from polystyrene + foam
Compare meaning
How does styrofoam compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A nearby store is smaller, with a single coffee pot and a tiny selection of branded items like Styrofoam coolers and tube socks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
She then reached for a Styrofoam mannequin’s head that was on a shelf in the closet.
From Slate ● Nov. 15, 2025
The magic of blasting down a wall of water balanced on a few pounds of Styrofoam doesn’t typically translate to the rectangular page; too many efforts feel pompous, ponderous or preening.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2025
He discovered the mystery blobs one day last month, initially thinking it looked like Styrofoam.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2024
When I handed him a Styrofoam container, he slumped back in his seat, accepting defeat.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.