sticky

adjective

ˈsti-kē 

stickier; stickiest

1

a

: adhesive

b(1)

: viscous, gluey

(2)

: coated with a sticky substance

2

: humid, muggy

also : clammy

3

: tending to stick

4

a

: disagreeable, unpleasant

came to a sticky end

b

: awkward, stiff

c

: difficult, problematic

a sticky situation

5

: excessively sentimental : cloying

stickily

ˈsti-kə-lē 

adverb

stickiness

ˈsti-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• adhesive

Examples of sticky in a Sentence

The sap is very sticky.

There is a sticky substance on the table.

The paint was still sticky.

The weather was hot and sticky.

Recent Examples on the Web

But inflation has been sticky as tariffs take hold, and Griffin predicted inflation will continue to be in the mid-2% to 3% range next year, still above the Fed’s 2% target. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025

Rasul Douglas had sticky coverage to force another incompletion. —Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025

Spongy, sticky, and noticeably sweet, Nature’s Own whitewheat bread has a good texture and balanced flavor without an overwhelming taste. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025

Qau will feature a cocktail program as well as seasonal and pantry products like mooncakes, Tết sticky rice cakes, saté paste, kaya jam and dessert kits. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sticky

• sticky bun
• sticky fingers
• sticky note
• sticky-sweet
• sticky tape
• sticky wicket

Rhymes for sticky

• dickie
• dicky
• hickey
• micky
• nicky
• picky
• quickie
• rickey
• tricky
• colicky

Kids Definition

sticky

adjective

ˈstik-ē 

stickier; stickiest

1

a

: adhesive entry 1, gluey

sticky syrup

b

: coated with a sticky substance

the tabletop was sticky

2

: muggy, humid

a hot sticky day

3

: tending to stick

sticky windows

stickily

ˈstik-ə-lē 

adverb

stickiness

ˈstik-ē-nəs 

noun