Meaning & use
neoprene
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountabletechnical
A synthetic rubber that is flexible, waterproof and good at keeping heat in, used in wetsuits, gloves and laptop sleeves.
Grammar: No plural or a: made of neoprene.
Patterns
- made of neoprene
- a layer of neoprene
The surfer zipped up a thick neoprene wetsuit before entering the cold sea.
My laptop sleeve is made of neoprene, so it protects against small bumps.
Neoprene gloves keep your hands warm while kayaking.
noununcountablerare
A product or garment made from this material, such as a neoprene brace.
Grammar: Used mainly as a material, and often before a noun.
Patterns
- wear neoprene
- a neoprene support
She wore a neoprene support around her wrist after the fall.
Divers wear neoprene to keep warm at depth.
The sports shop sells neoprene for every water sport.
Common combinations
- neoprene wetsuit
- A neoprene wetsuit keeps divers warm.
- neoprene sleeve
- He bought a neoprene sleeve for his tablet.
- neoprene gloves
- The neoprene gloves kept her hands dry.
- neoprene brace
- The doctor recommended a neoprene brace for the knee.
- made of neoprene
- The boots are made of neoprene.
Synonyms and how they differ
- synthetic rubber
- Synthetic rubber is a general category, while neoprene is one specific type with notable resistance to water and heat loss.
- rubber
- Rubber may be natural or synthetic, and neoprene is a man-made type with its own properties.
- latex
- Latex is a natural or synthetic milky sap-based rubber that is stretchy, but it has different properties from neoprene and can cause allergies.
- elastane
- Elastane is a stretchy fiber used in clothing and is not a rubber foam like neoprene.
Word family
- chloroprene noun
- the chemical from which neoprene is made
- wetsuit noun
- a close-fitting suit often made from neoprene
- polymer noun
- a large molecule made of repeating units
Commonly confused: neoprene or latex?
neoprene vs latex
Latex can trigger allergies and is stretchy and thin, while neoprene is a thicker foam-like rubber commonly used for insulation.
Practice
Surfers wear wetsuits made of ___ because it is flexible and helps keep body heat in.
Choose one answer.
Neoprene is a flexible, waterproof synthetic rubber used in wetsuits. Denim, linen and velvet are fabrics that would not insulate in cold water.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “neoprene”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.