sticky

adjective

ˈsti-kē 

stickier; stickiest

1

a

: adhesive

b(1)

: viscous, gluey

(2)

: coated with a sticky substance

2

: humid, muggy

also : clammy

3

: tending to stick

4

a

: disagreeable, unpleasant

came to a sticky end

b

: awkward, stiff

c

: difficult, problematic

a sticky situation

5

: excessively sentimental : cloying

stickily

ˈsti-kə-lē 

adverb

stickiness

ˈsti-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of sticky in a Sentence

The sap is very sticky.

There is a sticky substance on the table.

The paint was still sticky.

The weather was hot and sticky.

Recent Examples on the Web

For the most part, the band—Harrington, drummer Harrison Haynes, bassist Syd Butler, and guitarists Seth Jabour and Andrew Reuland—succeed in this quest, packing plenty of juicy heat and sticky humor into their still-tight song structures. —Reed Jackson, SPIN, 9 May 2024

Will these sticky saviors make any lure hover perfectly? —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sticky

• sticky bun
• sticky fingers
• sticky note
• sticky-sweet
• sticky tape
• sticky wicket

Kids Definition

sticky

adjective

ˈstik-ē 

stickier; stickiest

1

a

: adhesive entry 1, gluey

sticky syrup

b

: coated with a sticky substance

the tabletop was sticky

2

: muggy, humid

a hot sticky day

3

: tending to stick

sticky windows

stickily

ˈstik-ə-lē 

adverb

stickiness

ˈstik-ē-nəs 

noun