adhesive

1 of 2

adjective

ad·​he·​sive ad-ˈhē-siv  -ziv 

əd-

1

: tending to remain in association or memory

2

: tending to adhere or cause adherence

3

: prepared for adhering

4

medical : characterized by the formation of new fibrous tissue resulting from an inflammatory process

adhesive inflammations

adhesively adverb

adhesiveness noun

adhesive

2 of 2

noun

1

: an adhesive substance (such as glue or cement)

2

: a postage stamp with a gummed back

Synonyms of adhesive

Adjective

• sticky
• adherent

Noun

• glue

Examples of adhesive in a Sentence

Adjective

Cover the cut with an adhesive bandage.

walked barefoot through adhesive, clayey mud

Noun

You'll need a strong adhesive to attach the boards.

prefers postage stamps coated with adhesive so that she doesn't have to do any licking

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Use a small adhesive dot, a tiny hook, or a pin to secure the key over the corresponding area on the map. —Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026

Use a tension curtain rod or one with adhesive mounts, curtain rings with clips, and a piece of fabric that fits the dimensions of the cabinet opening. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026

Noun

Wet wipes contain alcohol and chemicals that strip natural oils, damage materials like leather, and weaken shoe adhesives. —Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026

Some traps are passive and low-energy (like pitfall and adhesive), while others are active and energy-intensive (snap and suction). —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin adhaesīvus, from Latin adhaesus (past participle of adhaerēre "to adhere") + -īvus -ive

Noun

derivative of adhesive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing adhesive

• adhesive binding
• adhesive tape
• self-adhesive

Rhymes for adhesive

• cohesive

Kids Definition

adhesive

1 of 2 adjective

ad·​he·​sive ad-ˈhē-siv 

əd-, 

-ziv

: tending to adhere : prepared for adhering

adhesiveness noun

adhesive

2 of 2 noun

: an adhesive substance (as glue or cement)

Medical Definition

adhesive

1 of 2 adjective

ad·​he·​sive -ˈhē-siv  -ziv 

1

a

: tending to adhere or cause adherence

adhesive resins

b

: prepared for adhering

an adhesive bandage

2

: characterized by adhesions

adhesive inflammation

adhesively adverb

adhesive

2 of 2 noun

1

: an adhesive substance

especially : a substance (as glue, starch, paste, or mucilage) that bonds two materials together by adhering to the surface of each

2

: adhesive tape