-mer

The combining form -mer is used like a suffix to mean “part,” specifically in reference to portions of molecules. It is often used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry.

The form -mer comes from Greek méros, meaning “part, portion.” From this same source, we also get the combining forms -mere and -merous.

Want to know more? Check out our Words That Use entries for both forms.

An example of a word that features -mer is polymer, “a compound derived by the addition of many smaller molecules or by the condensation of many smaller molecules.” Polymer comes from Greek polymerḗs, which uses the equivalent form of -mer.

The first part of the word, poly-, is a combining form meaning “much, many.” The second part, -mer, means “part.” Polymer literally translates to “having many parts.”

What are some words that use the combining form -mer?

• hexamer
• ionomer
• isomer
• metamer
• monomer
• octamer

The combining form mono- means “single” or “one.” With this in mind, what does the term monomer literally mean?