clammy

clam·my

adj \ˈkla-mē\

clam·mi·erclam·mi·est

Definition of CLAMMY

1

: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool <cold clammy hands> <clammy air>

2

: lacking normal human warmth <the clammy atmosphere of an institution>

— clam·mi·ly \ˈkla-mə-lē\ adverb

— clam·mi·ness \ˈkla-mē-nəs\ noun

Examples of CLAMMY

1. His hand was cold and clammy.
2. <after a clammy handshake, the two bitter rivals squared off for a no-holds-barred debate>

Origin of CLAMMY

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CLAMMY

Synonyms: antiseptic, arctic, brittle, chill, chilly, cold, cold-blooded, cold-eyed, coldish, cool, frigid, frosty, frozen, gelid, glacial, hard-eyed, icy, unfriendly, unsympathetic, wintry (also wintery)

Antonyms: cordial, friendly, genial, happy, hearty, sympathetic, warm, warm-blooded, warmhearted

Related Words: bloodless, coldhearted, hard-hearted, heartless, kindless, pitiless, uncaring, unfeeling; reserved, soulless, undemonstrative, unemotional, unresponsive; apathetic, indifferent, unenthusiastic, uninterested; aloof, detached, dispassionate, impersonal, offish, standoffish; antisocial, unsociable, unsocial

Near Antonyms: compassionate, kind, kindhearted; demonstrative, emotional, expressive; eager, enthusiastic, passionate

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Rhymes with CLAMMY

chamois, gammy, Grammy, hammy, jammy, mammy, whammy