Latices, commonly known as latex, are colloidal suspensions that consist of tiny polymer particles that are dispersed in water. These particles are usually natural, such as in the case of rubber and other plant products, or synthetic ones like those used in the manufacture of many paints and coatings. Synonyms for latices include emulsion, dispersion, colloidal suspension, and microgel. Emulsions are similar to latices in that they are also colloidal suspensions, but they are composed of particles that are not necessarily polymers. Dispersions, on the other hand, can contain both polymers and non-polymers, and colloidal suspensions and microgels differ from latices in terms of their size and the way the particles interact with each other within the suspension.