Word: plastic (adjective, noun)

Associations

"Plastic" can be both an adjective and a noun.

As a noun, "plastic" means a material that can be shaped when soft and then hardens. We use it for many everyday objects like bottles, bags, toys.

• Example 1: "This bottle is made of plastic." (Talking about the material)
• Example 2: "Plastic is not good for the environment if thrown away carelessly." (Talking about pollution)
• Example 3: "She recycled the plastic containers." (Talking about types of waste)

As an adjective, "plastic" means something that can be easily shaped or changed.

• Example 1: "Plastic surgery changes the shape of the body." (Changing form)
• Example 2: "The artist used plastic clay to make a model." (Material that can be shaped)
• Example 3: "The brain is plastic, meaning it can adapt and learn." (Flexible, changeable)

Synonym note: For the material, "plastic" is unique. For the adjective meaning "changeable," a synonym could be "malleable" or "flexible," but "plastic" often suggests a specific kind of easy shaping or adaptability.

Substitution

• Instead of "plastic" (material), you could say "synthetic material" or "polymer," but these are more technical.
• Instead of "plastic" (adjective meaning changeable), you could say "flexible," "malleable," or "adaptable," but these words might not always fit exactly.

Deconstruction

• The word "plastic" comes from the Greek word "plastikos," which means "able to be molded or shaped."
• "Plast-" is the root related to shaping or molding.
• The suffix "-ic" turns it into an adjective meaning "related to shaping."
• Over time, "plastic" also became a noun meaning the material that can be shaped.

Inquiry

• Can you think of objects around you made of plastic?
• How does the meaning of "plastic" as a material relate to its meaning as something flexible or changeable?
• Why do you think the word "plastic" is used to describe both a material and the idea of being adaptable?