latex

noun

la·​tex ˈlā-ˌteks 

plural latices ˈlā-tə-ˌsēz  ˈla-  or latexes

1

: a milky usually white fluid that is produced by cells of various seed plants (as of the milkweed, spurge, and poppy families) and is the source of rubber, gutta-percha, chicle, and balata

2

: a water emulsion of a synthetic rubber or plastic obtained by polymerization and used especially in coatings (such as paint) and adhesives

Examples of latex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than try to dab primer and then paint into all these divots, wait an hour or two for the primer to dry, then fill the crevices with paintable acrylic caulk, such as Dap Alex painter’s acrylic latex caulk ($2.99 a tube at Ace). —Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023

This dual-sided mattress contains a 5-zone latex base that supports your lower back. —Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 6 Sep. 2023

Really butch guys dressed head to toe in black leather or latex alongside drag queens, and a few random men in business suits. —Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2023

Use orchard paint or interior latex paint mixed 50/50 with water. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2023

Then Moore peeled off her latex skin and wig and accessories, and tucked it all away in boxes, like the artifacts of a long-dead loved one. —Lexi Pandell, WIRED, 31 Aug. 2023

Kardashian, dressed in a campy, vampy, Elvira-like gown and black latex gloves, stars in the trailer alongside Emma Roberts and Cara Delevingne. —Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 22 Aug. 2023

No one’s having a bigger laugh than Jonathan Anderson, whose comic balloon heels made of actual latex balloons are finally available to shop in stores. —Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Aug. 2023

Officers cleared the scene and found a black latex glove, which was collected as evidence. —Zach Mentz, cleveland, 4 Aug. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

New Latin latic-, latex, from Latin, fluid

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

latex

noun

la·​tex ˈlā-ˌteks 

plural latices ˈlāt-ə-ˌsēz 

ˈlat-

or latexes

1

: a milky juice produced by the cells of various plants (as milkweeds, poppies, and the rubber tree)

2

: a mixture of water and fine particles of rubber or plastic used especially in paints and adhesives

Medical Definition

latex

noun

la·​tex ˈlā-ˌteks 

plural latices ˈlāt-ə-ˌsēz  ˈlat-  or latexes

: a milky usually white fluid that is usually made up of various gum resins, fats, or waxes and often a complex mixture of other substances frequently including poisonous compounds, is produced by cells of various seed plants (as of the milkweed, spurge, and poppy families), and is the source of rubber, gutta-percha, chicle, and balata