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

• icy
• cold
• chilly
• frigid
• brittle
• cool

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

Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, and muscle aches, and anyone suffering persistent symptoms should call 911 immediately, Boston official said. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 23 June 2025

Symptoms include nausea, tiredness, dizziness, headache, heavy sweating and cool, clammy skin. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 19 June 2025

People often ignore signs that their body is not adjusting to the heat, such as clammy skin and disorientation. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 31 May 2025

The first signs of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, lightheadedness, clammy skin and a weak pulse. —Ivy Scott, Kansas City Star, 14 May 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