Definition

A substance made of many small, similar units linked together, often used in plastics and other materials.

Example

The new toy is made from a flexible polymer that can bend without breaking.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a polymer?

Yeah, isn’t it something made of long chains of molecules?

Exactly! They’re used in so many products we see every day.

Right! I think my water bottle is made from a type of polymer.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Polymer → It is formed from "poly-" (from Greek "polus", meaning many) and "meros" (meaning part). The word "polymer" refers to a substance made of many parts or units, typically repeating structures.

Memory Tip

Think of 'many' ('poly-') parts or units ('meros') coming together to form a larger substance, which is what a polymer is.

Visually Confused Words