sticky

adjective

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\ ˈsti-kē

stickier; stickiest

Definition of sticky

1a : adhesive

b(1) : viscous, gluey

(2) : coated with a sticky substance

2 : humid, muggy also : clammy

3 : tending to stick

4a : disagreeable, unpleasant came to a sticky end

b : awkward, stiff

c : difficult, problematic a sticky situation

5 : excessively sentimental : cloying

Other Words from sticky Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing sticky Learn More About sticky

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 Cooked rice can feel sticky for a couple of reasons: too much water may have been used and it may have not been rinsed before cooking. — Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping, 29 Apr. 2022 Pérez, now back with the Rangers, had a 3.88 ERA through 12 starts for the Sox last season then 5.70 afterward when the league announced its crackdown on sticky stuff . . . — Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Apr. 2022 In response to rampant use around the majors, MLB last season began enforcing its ban of foreign substances by having umpires check pitchers for sticky stuff in June. — Jorge Castillostaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2022 Through tonight: Mostly sunny and sticky for the rest of the daylight hours. — Greg Porter, Washington Post, 11 July 2021 But in the short run, wages are sticky, and the only place for higher sales to go is into higher pretax profits. — WSJ, 26 Apr. 2022 And best of all, the formula is non-sticky, gives off the appearance of fuller lips, and comes with a delightful peach-vanilla scent. — Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 25 Mar. 2022 However, the viscosity (how sticky a fluid is) of the water damps the instability. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2022 Netflix’s recent price hike will be a true test of how sticky its user base is. — David Trainer, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sticky.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.