clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈkla-mē 

clammier; clammiest

1

: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool

cold clammy hands

clammy air

2

: lacking normal human warmth

the clammy atmosphere of an institution

clammily

ˈkla-mə-lē 

adverb

clamminess

ˈkla-mē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• antiseptic
• arctic
• brittle
• chill
• chilly
• cold
• cold-blooded
• cold-eyed
• coldish
• cool
• frigid
• frosty
• frozen
• gelid
• glacial
• hard-eyed
• icy
• uncordial
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic
• wintry
• wintery

Examples of clammy in a Sentence

His hand was cold and clammy.

after a clammy handshake, the two bitter rivals squared off for a no-holds-barred debate

Recent Examples on the Web

One clammy hand was already under her shirt, flicking her nipple through her bra. —Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025

The intimate physical proximity of this causes everyone to issue apologies—for clammy hands and lackluster deodorant, the unavoidable byproducts of this merciless Tennessee summer. —Barrett Swanson, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

The telltale signs range from sticky, clammy skin to having moisture on your windows and walls. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

Instantly, the summer heat of Rome was replaced by the cold, clammy air of tunnels that, like the Labyrinth of Rome, were first carved to mine tuff. —Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from clammen to smear, stick, from Old English clǣman; akin to Old English clǣg clay

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clammy

• chamois
• grammy
• mammy
• sami
• sammie
• sammy
• tammy

Kids Definition

clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈklam-ē 

clammier; clammiest

: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool

clamminess noun

Medical Definition

clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈklam-ē 

clammier; clammiest

: being moist and sticky

a patient in shock may be cold and clammy

—Emergency Medicine

clammy sweating