gummy

1 of 2

adjective

gum·​my ˈgə-mē 

gummier; gummiest

1

: viscous, sticky

2

a

: consisting of or containing gum

b

: covered with gum

gumminess noun

gummy

2 of 2

noun

gum·​my ˈgə-mē 

variants or less commonly gummi

ˈgə-mē 

ˈgu̇-

plural gummies also gummis

: a chewy gelatin-based candy that is often flavored with fruit

Yeah, an actual pear is going to be much more boring than a pear-flavored gummy, but kids need to learn about the disappointment of actually eating healthy early in life.

—Mark Shrayber

Store owners will start pulling CBD gummies and drinks off of their shelves in Washington.

—Paige Browning

But a few years ago, Japanese candy makers made the gummi softer and sweeter, creating an instant domestic market.

—Yumiko Ono

If you have to take multiple supplements every day—and especially if you have problems swallowing capsules or tablets—gummies can make that chore easier (and tastier), finds a 2017 report from the AARP.

—Markham Heid

—often used before another noun

There are also numerous applications for gelatin in the food industry, from gummy candies to fat replacement.

—Matthew K. Roy

Trix may be for kids, but gummi vitamins? They're not restricted to the younger crowd anymore.

—Marianne Mychaskiw

Synonyms

Adjective

• adherent
• adhesive
• clingy
• gluey
• glutinous
• sticky
• tacky
• tenacious
• viscid

Example Sentences

Adjective

How did you get your hands so gummy?

the outside of the bottle was gummy with old dribbles of salad oil

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The company, Gummi World, produces gummy vitamins and custom dietary supplements. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2023

These gummy vitamins are packed with biotin, vitamin C, zinc, and other nutrients that promote healthy hair growth. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2022

Penguin CBD's full spectrum gummy worms are perfect for you! —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2022

Plastic resin necklaces in the shape of gummy candies and fruit are the perfect way to add a touch of kidcore to your 'fits. —Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 6 Dec. 2022

Markus sits alone, feet dangling from the runner, eating gummy worms. —Oliver Munday, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2022

Nine of a total of 40 items tested contained less THC than advertised, but one gummy with a label claiming a potency of 100 milligrams of THC for each piece was actually double the amount, the analysis found. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2022

Merry and Bright, gummy-like pâte de fruits flavored with red wine, cinnamon and orange and lemon zest, which is vegan. —Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2022

The sergeant said details including how many gummies each student ingested and how much THC or other cannabinoids each gummy contained were not known Wednesday night and are part of the ongoing investigation. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for gummy bear, borrowed from German Gummibär "fruit-flavored gelatin candy in the shape of a bear (originally made by the German confectioner Haribo)," from Gummi "rubber," earlier also "resin, gum" (going back to Middle High German, borrowed from Latin cummi, gummi) + Bär "bear," going back to Middle High German ber, going back to Old High German pero, bēr — more at gum entry 3, bear entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1981, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gummy

adjective

gum·​my gəm-ē 

gummier; gummiest

1

: consisting of, containing, or covered with gum

2

: viscous sense 1, sticky

gumminess noun

Medical Definition

gummy

adjective

gum·​my ˈgəm-ē 

gummier; gummiest

1

: consisting of or containing gum

2

: being viscous or sticky