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

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

During the day's exploring, employ the buddy system and look out for signs of heat illness like feeling dizzy, experiencing nausea or muscle cramps and sweating with cool and clammy skin. —ABC News, 8 June 2026

The ring presses a circle of pain into the clammy skin of her palm. —Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

Feeling the clammy grip of death on your shoulder? —Chris McMullen, Space.com, 24 May 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