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

Previous efforts had given too much importance to viscosity, the sticky property of fluids that resists flow. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025

Head coach Kevin O’Connell tends to scheme free releases for Jefferson, but Terrell can be sticky down the field. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025

According to San Angelo, some signs of a dirty microwave filter include if they are discolored, sticky, and/or sometimes smell like grease. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025

Sapodilla, a pear-like fruit that looks like a coconut, adds a malty butterscotch intensity to a sticky toffee pudding. —The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 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