plastic

/ˈplæstɪk/

Group 7Difficulty 2/3

Definitions

(adjective)
Easily shaped or molded; flexible
GRE
(adjective)
Artificial or superficially attractive
GRE

Example in Context

The philosopher argued that human identity is fundamentally plastic, continuously reshaped by experience and circumstance.

Synonyms

moldableflexibleshapeable

Etymology

Able to be molded or shaped — flexible in form.

  • plasticus (Greek) — able to be molded

Memory Aid

♻️Sounds like “plastic

A flexible superhero made of PLASTIC, bending into outrageous shapes while saving the day!

Visual Association

🧩A colorful puzzle being easily manipulated into different shapes, highlighting its flexibility.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “plastic” mean on the GRE?

plastic (adjective) means “Easily shaped or molded; flexible”. The philosopher argued that human identity is fundamentally plastic, continuously reshaped by experience and circumstance.

How to remember “plastic” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “plastic” sounds like “plastic”. A flexible superhero made of PLASTIC, bending into outrageous shapes while saving the day!

What are synonyms for “plastic”?

Common synonyms: moldable, flexible, shapeable.