Plastic Meaning
/ˈplæstɪk/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA synthetic, solid, hydrocarbon-based polymer, whether thermoplastic or thermosetting.
nounCredit or debit cards used in place of cash to buy goods and services.
Sentence Examples
I knew it was plastic but it tasted like wood.
Even plastic surgery won't do anything for your ugliness.
The pipes should be made of plastic.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The child's cheap toy broke easily because it was made of ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The campaign urged consumers to reduce their use of single-use ____ to protect the environment.
Word Origin & History
From Latin plasticus (“of molding”), from Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikós), from πλάσσω (plássō, “to mold, form”). Doublet of plastique.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field. Dr Mincer and Dr Amaral-Zettler found evidence of them on their marine plastic, too."
— 2013 July 20, “Welcome to the plastisphere”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:
"Reducing plastic waste is a crucial problem for today’s environment, and whether it’s recyclable and biodegradable phone cases or sustainable fashion, there are plenty of eco-friendly products that can help you reduce your footprint."
— 2020 October 22, Kai Burkhardt, “31 eco-friendly products to live sustainably in 2024”, in CNN:
"These endocrine disruptors are everywhere: plastics, shampoos, cosmetics, cushions, pesticides, canned foods and A.T.M. receipts. They often aren’t on labels and can be difficult to avoid."
— 2021 February 20, Nicholas Kristof, “What Are Sperm Telling Us?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
"The surgeon checks your plastic on the phone / a Casio concerto entertains you while you hold"
— 1990, Fish, “Big Wedge”, in Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors:
"It's all about fast cars and cussing each other / but it doesn't matter cause I'm packing plastic / and that's what makes my life so fucking fantastic."
— 2008, Lily Allen, “The Fear”, in It's Not Me, It's You:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The child's cheap toy broke easily because it was made of ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The campaign urged consumers to reduce their use of single-use ____ to protect the environment.