sticky

1 of 2

adjective

ˈsti-kē 

stickier; stickiest

1

a

: adhesive

a sticky material

b(1)

: viscous, gluey

sticky syrup

(2)

: coated with a sticky substance

sticky little fingers

… it must have been just repainted, it looked so bright and sticky …

—Lewis Carroll

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

stickiness

2 of 2

noun

stick·​i·​ness ˈstikēnə̇s 

-kin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being sticky

Synonyms of sticky

Adjective

• adhesive

Examples of sticky in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

At the track’s apex Korten explodes in and out of dissonant broken chords against Mark Shim’s angular saxophone lines, an unexpected development that sneaks up on you thanks to Sorey’s sticky, slowly evolving drumming. — Rae-Aila Crumble, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026

The breathable, lightweight fabric looks effortless and helps keep you cool on hot, sticky days. — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 25 June 2026

However, tomato flowers do need help with releasing the sticky pollen. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 June 2026

Thursday’s data comes at a pivotal time for Fed policymakers, who have signaled patience on rate cuts amid lingering concerns about sticky inflation. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sticky

• sticky bun
• sticky fingers
• sticky note
• sticky rice
• 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