Meaning & use
thermoplastic
A plastic material that softens when heated and hardens again as it cools, allowing it to be reshaped repeatedly.
See it in a sentence
The bottle was made from a thermoplastic that could be melted down and recycled.
Manufacturers chose a thermoplastic for the case because it could be molded into complex shapes.
A note on using this word
Contrasts with 'thermoset' plastics, which harden permanently once cured and cannot be remelted.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Able to be softened by heat and hardened by cooling repeatedly without a permanent chemical change.
The clip is made of a thermoplastic material that bends when warmed.
Make it your own
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