viscous

1 of 2

adjective

vis·​cous ˈvi-skəs 

1

: having a thick or sticky consistency : viscid

viscous secretions

viscous corn syrup

2

technical : having or characterized by a high resistance to flow

viscous lava

viscously adverb

viscousness noun

viscousness

2 of 2

noun

vis·​cous·​ness

plural -es

archaic

: viscosity

Synonyms of viscous

Adjective

• thick
• sticky

Examples of viscous in a Sentence

Adjective

viscous syrup that takes forever to pour from a narrow-neck bottle

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The interior was made of multiple layers of translucent, colored silicone to create a viscous look. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Jay just gets bumped from one squishy chamber of viscous lumps to another, fighting like hell to avoid following his squid adversary through a puckering hole and deeper into the digestive system, where the air turns into methane. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Adding that there were multiple bloods; some waterier, some viscous, others stickier, Flanagan explained that blood for dropping was different from what needed to be painted on Howell, which could not drip off. — Alex Zalben, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

This one appears quick opaque and viscous, but actually does a nice job at melting down onto the skin and absorbing quickly. — Lucy Partington, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English viscouse, from Anglo-French viscos, from Late Latin viscosus full of birdlime, viscous, from Latin viscum mistletoe, birdlime; akin to Old High German wīhsila cherry, Greek ixos mistletoe

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for viscous

• discus
• hibiscus
• meniscus

Kids Definition

viscous

adjective

vis·​cous ˈvis-kəs 

1

: having the characteristic of stickiness

2

: having or marked by viscosity

Medical Definition

viscous

adjective

vis·​cous ˈvis-kəs 

1

: having a glutinous consistency and the quality of sticking or adhering : viscid

2

: having or characterized by viscosity

a viscous flow