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
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
The first signs of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, lightheadedness, clammy skin and a weak pulse.
—
Ivy Scott, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
Allergy testing is often even more important if your child has any signs of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction that can cause swelling of the mouth and throat as well as dizziness, clammy skin, and difficulty breathing).
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 17 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for clammy
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Ivy Scott, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
Allergy testing is often even more important if your child has any signs of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction that can cause swelling of the mouth and throat as well as dizziness, clammy skin, and difficulty breathing).
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 17 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for clammy
Cite this Entry
“Clammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clammy. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Emergency Medicineclammy sweating
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