clammy

1 of 2

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

clamminess

2 of 2

noun

clam·​mi·​ness ˈkla-mē-nəs 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being clammy

Synonyms of clammy

Adjective

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

Examples of clammy in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2026

Use a buddy system with your travel companions and watch each other for dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps and cool, clammy skin. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Use the buddy system all day watch your travel companions for dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps or cool, clammy skin, and ask them to watch you. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026

Heat exhaustion symptoms can include heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, lightheadedness or headache, loss of appetite or nausea, according to New York City Emergency Management. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

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