clammy

1 of 2

adjective

clam·​my ˈkla-mē 

clammier; clammiest

1

: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool

cold clammy hands

clammy air

2

: lacking normal human warmth

the clammy atmosphere of an institution

clammily

ˈkla-mə-lē 

adverb

clamminess

ˈkla-mē-nəs 

noun

clamminess

2 of 2

noun

clam·​mi·​ness ˈkla-mē-nəs 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being clammy

Synonyms of clammy

Adjective

• icy
• cold
• chilly
• frigid
• brittle
• cool

Examples of clammy in a Sentence

Adjective

His hand was cold and clammy.

after a clammy handshake, the two bitter rivals squared off for a no-holds-barred debate

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Signs of heat exhaustion are excessive sweating, cool/clammy skin, dizziness, headache, nausea. — Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2026

With heat exhaustion, a person's body temperature may top 101 degrees Fahrenheit, along with symptoms like heavy sweating; cold, pale, clammy skin; tiredness or weakness; muscle cramps; dizziness; nausea or vomiting, and more. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Watch for signs of heat illness, such as heavy sweating; nausea; headache; dizziness or weakness; cool, pale and clammy skin; altered mental state and loss of consciousness. — Howard Cohen july 29, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Symptoms include clammy skin, nausea, cramps, vomiting and headache. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, probably from clammen to smear, stick, from Old English clǣman; akin to Old English clǣg clay

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clammy

• chamois
• grammy
• mammy
• sami
• sammie
• sammy
• tammy

Kids Definition

clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈklam-ē 

clammier; clammiest

: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool

clamminess noun

Medical Definition

clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈklam-ē 

clammier; clammiest

: being moist and sticky

a patient in shock may be cold and clammy

—Emergency Medicine

clammy sweating