1
a
: any of various strong adhesive substances
especially
: a hard protein chiefly gelatinous substance that absorbs water to form a viscous solution with strong adhesive properties and that is obtained by cooking down collagenous materials (such as hides or bones)
b
: a solution of glue used for sticking things together
2
: something that binds together
enough social glue … to satisfy the human desire for community—
E. D. Hirsch, Jr.
E. D. Hirsch, Jr.
glued; gluing also glueing
1
: to cause to stick tightly with or as if with glue
gluing the parts together
used that war to glue together a frail story—Gloria Emerson
Gloria Emerson2
: to cause to remain continuously or to be fixed steadily
—usually used with to
the spectators were glued to their seats
all eyes glued to the TV screen
Synonyms
Examples of glue in a Sentence
Noun
The hardware store offers several different glues.
used glue to stick the photo in the album
Verb
I glued the pieces of the cup back together.
Recent Examples on the WebJulie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024
Your stylist will either use a plier-like tool to separate the tapes or a special solvent to dissolve the proteins of the glue so the extension can easily slide out with minimal tugging.
—Tayler Adigun, Allure, 25 Mar. 2024
At home, however, the glue that cements his support, according to independent political analysts and his foes, is money, which underpins a network of entwined state institutions and private businesses mostly run by Mr. Orban’s Fidesz party allies.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, Salesian, 6-3, senior Hunkin-Claytor was the glue guy in Salesian’s run to the NorCal Open Division title and Open state final.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024
This can break down the glue and cause your extensions to begin to slide out.
—Tayler Adigun, Allure, 25 Mar. 2024
The tensions are tearing at India’s delicate federal formula of power sharing and political competition, the glue holding the country together across 28 states and eight territories.
—Hari Kumar, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Start by gathering the supplies: One knee-high white tube sock
Paper-towel tube
Plastic grocery bags
Masking tape
Plastic wrap
Foam brush
White glue.
—Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Brush Mod Podge on an egg, place the cutout on the glue, smooth any wrinkles, and brush with another thin layer of Mod Podge.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2024
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2024
That trade-off, in addition to Nvidia’s efforts to glue its chips together with high-speed links, suggests that upgrades to other key components for AI supercomputers, like that proposed by Lightmatter, could become more important.
—Will Knight, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2024
These cutting boards are made with solid construction rather than smaller bamboo pieces glued together.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
While many will be glued to their phones throughout the day to check for weather updates, meteorologists use their own terminology that might be confusing.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 Apr. 2024
Before theater seating opened, Mark Gibson kept us glued to his card deck, at one point finding the card a fellow guest chose by cutting the deck with the assistance of a tiny plunger.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
Activists with the group have blocked roads, glued themselves together and shut down airports for their cause.
—Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2024
There were no televisions turned on, and hundreds of people were glued to their phones looking at the results.
—Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024
Attach the layers together, glue them to the card, and finish it off with a button on the flower's center.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
Noun
Childress says Duffy, whose character is judged harshly by the men and women of her community, is the glue that binds everything together.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024
Your stylist will either use a plier-like tool to separate the tapes or a special solvent to dissolve the proteins of the glue so the extension can easily slide out with minimal tugging.
—Tayler Adigun, Allure, 25 Mar. 2024
At home, however, the glue that cements his support, according to independent political analysts and his foes, is money, which underpins a network of entwined state institutions and private businesses mostly run by Mr. Orban’s Fidesz party allies.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, Salesian, 6-3, senior Hunkin-Claytor was the glue guy in Salesian’s run to the NorCal Open Division title and Open state final.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024
This can break down the glue and cause your extensions to begin to slide out.
—Tayler Adigun, Allure, 25 Mar. 2024
The tensions are tearing at India’s delicate federal formula of power sharing and political competition, the glue holding the country together across 28 states and eight territories.
—Hari Kumar, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Start by gathering the supplies: One knee-high white tube sock
Paper-towel tube
Plastic grocery bags
Masking tape
Plastic wrap
Foam brush
White glue.
—Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Brush Mod Podge on an egg, place the cutout on the glue, smooth any wrinkles, and brush with another thin layer of Mod Podge.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2024
Verb
And that you were actually arrested on graduation night for breaking and entering into your high school in an attempt to glue the locks of the doors.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2024
That trade-off, in addition to Nvidia’s efforts to glue its chips together with high-speed links, suggests that upgrades to other key components for AI supercomputers, like that proposed by Lightmatter, could become more important.
—Will Knight, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2024
These cutting boards are made with solid construction rather than smaller bamboo pieces glued together.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
While many will be glued to their phones throughout the day to check for weather updates, meteorologists use their own terminology that might be confusing.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 Apr. 2024
Before theater seating opened, Mark Gibson kept us glued to his card deck, at one point finding the card a fellow guest chose by cutting the deck with the assistance of a tiny plunger.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
Activists with the group have blocked roads, glued themselves together and shut down airports for their cause.
—Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2024
There were no televisions turned on, and hundreds of people were glued to their phones looking at the results.
—Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024
Attach the layers together, glue them to the card, and finish it off with a button on the flower's center.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English glu, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin glut-, glus; akin to Latin gluten glue — more at clay
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of glue was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing glue
Dictionary Entries Near glue
Cite this Entry
“Glue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glue. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on glue
Nglish: Translation of glue for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of glue for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glue
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