adherent

¹ad·her·ent

adjective \ad-ˈhir-ənt, əd-\

Definition of ADHERENT

1

: able or tending to adhere

2

: connected or associated with especially by contract

3

: adnate

— ad·her·ent·ly adverb

Examples of ADHERENT

1. <the bandage is made from a mildly adherent fiber>

Origin of ADHERENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French adheirdant, adherent, from Latin adhaerent-, adhaerens, present participle of adhaerēre

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ADHERENT

Synonyms

sticky, adhesive, clingy, gluey, glutinous, gummy, tacky, tenacious, viscid

Antonyms

nonadhesive

Related Words

gelatinous, gooey, ropy (also ropey), syrupy, viscous; pitchy, tarry

Near Antonyms

nonviscous

Rhymes with ADHERENT

coherent, inherent, sederunt, vicegerent

²adherent

noun

Definition of ADHERENT

: one that adheres: as

a : a follower of a leader, party, or profession

b : a believer in or advocate especially of a particular idea or church

Examples of ADHERENT

1. an adherent of free trade
2. <the Flat Earth Society surely doesn't have many adherents>

First Known Use of ADHERENT

15th century

Related to ADHERENT

Synonyms

acolyte, follower, convert, disciple, epigone, liege man, partisan (also partizan), pupil, votarist, votary

Antonyms

coryphaeus, leader

Related Words

apostle, missionary, proselytizer, soldier; faithful, loyalist; advocate, backer, champion, supporter; protégé, scholar, student; ideologist, ideologue (also idealogue), sectarian; admirer, cultist, devotee, enthusiast, fan, idolater (or idolator), worshipper (or worshiper), zealot; apparatchik, camp follower, flunky (also flunkey or flunkie), hanger-on, henchman, lackey, lickspittle, minion, myrmidon, satellite, stooge, sycophant, toady, yes-man

Near Antonyms

apostate, defector, renegade, traitor, turncoat

See Synonym Discussion at follower