Definition

A type of material that becomes soft when heated and hard when cooled, allowing it to be shaped and reshaped multiple times.

Example

The manufacturer used a thermoplastic material to create flexible and durable products.

Conversation

Did you know that some plastics are thermoplastic?

Really? What's special about them?

Well, they become soft when heated and harden when cooled.

That sounds useful for all sorts of applications!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A type of plastic that becomes soft when heated and hardens when cooled, allowing it to be shaped and reshaped multiple times.

Example

The manufacturer used a thermoplastic to create flexible and durable components for the product.

Conversation

Have you ever worked with thermoplastic materials before?

Yeah, I used some for a project in school last year.

That's cool! I heard thermoplastic is really versatile for different designs.

Root Explanation

Thermoplastic → It is formed from "thermo-" (from Greek "thermos", meaning heat) and "plastic" (from Greek "plastikos", meaning capable of being shaped or molded). The word "thermoplastic" refers to a material that becomes moldable or pliable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling.

Memory Tip

Think of 'heat' ('thermo-') making a material 'moldable' ('plastic') — that's why thermoplastic refers to materials that can be shaped when heated.

Visually Confused Words