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

Redondo Union players got a good pep talk before a win over Long Beach Poly.

From Los Angeles Times

After resigning from his chancellorship, Castro went on to teach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

From Los Angeles Times

While attending Poly High in Sun Valley, Pete Kokon, the sports editor of the San Fernando Sun, offered to pay me $15 a week to write a story about high school sports.

From Los Angeles Times

Cal Poly Humboldt hosted the cheapest doubles, charging $6,624 on average, while San Diego State’s $14,344 average was the system’s most expensive.

From Los Angeles Times

Altogether, the projects are expected to add 5,000 beds to campuses from Cal Poly Humboldt to San Diego State.

From 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-.