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

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

These stretchy AirTag pockets have an adhesive backing that can stick onto smooth, flat surfaces, like the inside of your suitcase. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025

The 28-year-old model was photographed in New York City wearing a sheer black turtleneck top, tucked into a black mini skirt and worn with a black blazer over it, barely covering the adhesive silicone covers on her chest. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025

Noun

That unit, which includes divisions such as industrial adhesives and personal safety equipment, generated about $11 billion in revenue last year. —Bloomberg, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025

Or how can a temporary transfer that will leave no mark or adhesive be seen as vandalism? —Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

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