clingy

adjective

ˈkliŋ-ē 

clingier; clingiest

: having the quality of clinging to someone or something: such as

a

: tending to adhere to a surface upon contact

a clingy plastic wrap

clingy fabrics/clothes

In her clingiest [=tightest-fitting] dress she swings into town and soon has the men howling.

—Peter Travers

b

: tending to stay very close to someone (such as a parent) for emotional support, protection, etc.

a clingy child

Some kids act out or become whiny to get a parent's attention; others become clingy or fearful.

—Leah Hennen

clinginess noun

disliked the fabric's clinginess

Any number of women I interviewed cited clinginess in a boyfriend as a major deal breaker.

—Liza Mundy

Synonyms

• adherent
• adhesive
• gluey
• glutinous
• gummy
• sticky
• tacky
• tenacious
• viscid

Examples of clingy in a Sentence

it took forever to clean up the clingy Styrofoam pellets that had been used as packing material for the lamp

Recent Examples on the Web

With a boat party on the Seine, luxe shopping stop-offs, and cocktails on the rooftop of the Cheval Blanc hotel, the dress code erred less tiaras and novelty bachelorette shirts and more clingy gowns, sheer skirts, and corsets. —Vogue, 29 May 2025

Summer 2025 outfits are all about trading in your tees for halters, breezy open button-downs instead of clingy cardigans, and leading with your legs. —Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 26 May 2025

But what if this famously clingy, sparkly nuisance could actually help save a species? —Discover Magazine, 21 May 2025

For Jenner, that means clingy pieces from her brand KHY, animal print, leathers, and sheer panels. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clingy

• dinghy
• springy
• stringy