thermoplastic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, Academic, Industrial
Quick answer
What does “thermoplastic” mean?
A type of polymer that becomes soft and moldable when heated and solidifies upon cooling, capable of being reshaped multiple times.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of polymer that becomes soft and moldable when heated and solidifies upon cooling, capable of being reshaped multiple times.
The property of a material that can be repeatedly softened by heat and hardened by cooling without significant chemical change, enabling recycling and reshaping. In business contexts, it often refers to the versatile plastic materials industry and its products.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Technical terminology is identical. British English may use 'mouldable' spelling; American uses 'moldable'.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties. Associated with modern manufacturing, recycling, and material science.
Frequency
Higher frequency in technical/engineering contexts in both regions. Slightly more common in American industrial discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “thermoplastic” in a Sentence
[thermoplastic] + [noun] (e.g., thermoplastic component)[made of/from] + [thermoplastic][thermoplastic] + [that/which] clause[verb: mould, extrude, recycle] + [thermoplastic]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thermoplastic” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The new bumper is made from a lightweight thermoplastic.
- Acrylic is a common thermoplastic used in displays.
American English
- This part uses a high-impact thermoplastic for durability.
- Nylon is a thermoplastic known for its strength.
adjective
British English
- The thermoplastic material allowed for easy remoulding of the prototype.
- They specialise in thermoplastic injection moulding.
American English
- Thermoplastic components are ideal for this recyclable design.
- The thermoplastic properties of PET make it suitable for bottles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a category of materials in manufacturing supply chains, cost discussions, and sustainability reports.
Academic
Used in materials science, polymer chemistry, and engineering papers to classify polymers based on thermal behavior.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. May appear in recycling information or DIY project instructions.
Technical
Precise classification in data sheets, material specifications, and processing guidelines (e.g., extrusion temperatures).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thermoplastic”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thermoplastic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thermoplastic”
- Using 'thermoplastic' as a synonym for all plastics (it's a subset).
- Confusing it with 'thermoset'.
- Misspelling as 'thermoplast'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In theory, yes, due to their reversible melting. In practice, contamination, mixed polymers, and degradation during processing can limit recycling.
Thermoplastics soften with heat and harden when cooled (reversible). Thermosets undergo a chemical change when heated (curing) and cannot be remelted (irreversible).
It can be both. Uncountable when referring to the material class (e.g., 'made of thermoplastic'). Countable when referring to types or specific instances (e.g., 'various engineering thermoplastics').
Yes, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) are two of the most widely produced and recycled thermoplastics.
A type of polymer that becomes soft and moldable when heated and solidifies upon cooling, capable of being reshaped multiple times.
Thermoplastic is usually technical, academic, industrial in register.
Thermoplastic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθɜː.məʊˈplæs.tɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθɜːr.moʊˈplæs.tɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THERMO' (heat) + 'PLASTIC' (shapeable) = a plastic you can shape with heat, again and again.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SHAPESHIFTER OF INDUSTRY; material with a reversible identity, capable of rebirth through heat.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a thermoplastic?