adhere

verb

ad·​here ad-ˈhir How to pronounce adhere (audio)
əd-
adhered; adhering

intransitive verb

1
: to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusing
The stamp failed to adhere to the envelope.
2
: to give support or maintain loyalty
adhere to traditional values
3
: to bind oneself to observance
adhere to the rules
4

transitive verb

: to cause to stick fast
The paper had been adhered to the wall.
Choose the Right Synonym for adhere

stick, adhere, cohere, cling, cleave mean to become closely attached.

stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

Examples of adhere in a Sentence

The stamp failed to adhere. everyone started calling her “Cookie” when she was little and the name adhered
Recent Examples on the Web What matters most isn’t adhering strictly to one mode or another, but recognizing when to adapt. Aytekin Tank, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 Cut long strips of the vinyl molding, peel off the back sticker, and adhere the molding to your window. Claire Hoppe, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2024 Roll cheese ball gently in pecans, pressing to adhere. Renu Dhar, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2024 This method is not recommended for use on lampshades with embellishments, as the heat from a hair dryer can loosen the glue adhering them to the shade. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for adhere 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adhere.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French adhérer, going back to Old French ahérer, borrowed from Latin adhaerēre "to cling, stick (to), attach oneself, keep close (to a person)," from ad- ad- + haerēre "to be closely attached, stick" — more at hesitate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of adhere was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near adhere

Cite this Entry

“Adhere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adhere. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

adhere

verb
ad·​here ad-ˈhi(ə)r How to pronounce adhere (audio)
əd-
adhered; adhering
1
: to stay loyal (as to a cause or promise)
2
: to stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or melting
3
: to agree to observe
adhere to the rules

Medical Definition

adhere

verb
ad·​here ad-ˈhi(ə)r, əd- How to pronounce adhere (audio)
adhered; adhering

intransitive verb

1
: to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusing
a gauze bandage adhering to the wound
2
: to become joined (as in pathological adhesion)
the lung sometimes adheres to the pleura

transitive verb

: to cause to stick fast
adherence noun

More from Merriam-Webster on adhere

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!