plastic
Other forms: plastics
Plastic is a synthetic material that can be molded when soft and formed into a solid shape. Many toys are made out of plastic, like Barbie dolls and Lego blocks.
Plastic appears in many different forms, from beach balls to lawn chairs, grocery bags and much more. Credit cards, which are made of plastic, are called plastic, meaning payment that's not cash. You can also use plastic as an adjective to describe things that can be molded, like clay that's plastic in your hands, or to describe something that's artificial. For example, if a person is called plastic, he or she is probably fake or insincere.
Definitions of plastic
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generic name for certain synthetic or semisynthetic materials that can be molded or extruded into objects or films or filaments or used for making e.g. coatings and adhesives
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types:
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ABS, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
any of a class of composite plastics used to make car bodies and cases for computers and other appliances
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Mylar
a thin polyester film
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thermoplastic, thermoplastic resin
a material that softens when heated and hardens again when cooled
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thermosetting compositions, thermosetting resin
a material that hardens when heated and cannot be remolded
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Bakelite
a thermosetting plastic used as electric insulators and for making plastic ware and telephone receivers etc.
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Teflon, polytetrafluoroethylene
a material used to coat cooking utensils and in industrial applications where sticking is to be avoided
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Vinylite
any of various vinyl resins
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resinoid
a plastic containing resins
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amino plastic, amino resin, aminoplast
a plastic (synthetic resin) made from amino compounds; used as an adhesive and as a coating for paper and textiles
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cellulosic
a plastic made from cellulose (or a derivative of cellulose)
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coumarone resin, coumarone-indene resin
a thermoplastic resin obtained by polymerization of indene and coumarone; used in coatings and paint and asphalt tile
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fluorocarbon plastic
a plastic made with fluorocarbon
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phenolic plastic, phenolic urea
a plastic consisting of phenolic resins
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polyester
a complex ester used for making fibers or resins or plastics or as a plasticizer
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polypropene, polypropylene
a polymer of propylene used as a thermoplastic molding material
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polyvinyl-formaldehyde
a polymer of vinyl formaldehyde
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silicone resin
a polymeric silicone compound
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vinyl
shiny and tough and flexible plastic; used especially for floor coverings
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saran
any of various thermoplastic resins used to make things
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celluloid
highly flammable substance made from cellulose nitrate and camphor; used in e.g. motion-picture and X-ray film; its use has decreased with the development of nonflammable thermoplastics
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type of:
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solid
matter that is solid at room temperature and pressure
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capable of being molded or modeled (especially of earth or clay or other soft material)
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forming or capable of forming or molding or fashioning
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constructive
constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development
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constructive
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capable of being influenced or formed“the plastic minds of children”
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synonyms:
pliant
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impressible, impressionable, waxy
easily impressed or influenced
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impressible, impressionable, waxy
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a card (usually plastic) that assures a seller that the person using it has a satisfactory credit rating and that the issuer will see to it that the seller receives payment for the merchandise delivered“do you take plastic?”
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synonyms:
charge card, charge plate, credit card
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types:
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bank card
a credit card issued by a bank
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calling card, phone card
a card that is used instead of cash to make telephone calls
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cash card, cashcard
a credit card that entitles the holder to receive cash
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type of:
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positive identification
evidence proving that you are who you say you are; evidence establishing that you are among the group of people already known to the system; recognition by the system leads to acceptance
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charge account credit, open-end credit, revolving credit
a consumer credit line that can be used up to a certain limit or paid down at any time
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bank card
Pronunciation
US
/ˈplæstɪk/
UK
/ˈplæstɪk/
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘plastic'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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