glue

1 of 2

noun

ˈglü 

1

a

: any of various strong adhesive substances

especially : a hard protein chiefly gelatinous substance that absorbs water to form a viscous solution with strong adhesive properties and that is obtained by cooking down collagenous materials (such as hides or bones)

b

: a solution of glue used for sticking things together

2

: something that binds together

enough social glue … to satisfy the human desire for community

—E. D. Hirsch, Jr.

gluey

ˈglü-ē 

adjective

gluily

ˈglü-ə-lē 

adverb

glue

2 of 2

verb

glued; gluing also glueing

transitive verb

1

: to cause to stick tightly with or as if with glue

gluing the parts together

used that war to glue together a frail story

—Gloria Emerson

2

: to cause to remain continuously or to be fixed steadily

—usually used with to

the spectators were glued to their seats

all eyes glued to the TV screen

Synonyms

Noun

• adhesive
• bond
• cement
• size

Examples of glue in a Sentence

Noun

The hardware store offers several different glues.

used glue to stick the photo in the album

Verb

I glued the pieces of the cup back together.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Futrell says that Neanderthals had pretty complex behaviors, including burying their dead and distilling glue out of tree bark. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024

The dark matter acts as a gravitational glue, holding the stars in their group. —Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English glu, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin glut-, glus; akin to Latin gluten glue — more at clay

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing glue

• crazy glue
• stick like glue
• super glue

Kids Definition

glue

1 of 2 noun

ˈglü 

: a substance used to stick things tightly together

gluey

ˈglu-ē 

adjective

glue

2 of 2 verb

glued; gluing also glueing

: to stick with or as if with glue