sticky

play

adjective \ ˈsti-kē \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of sticky

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

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stickily

play \ˈsti-kə-lē\ adverb

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stickiness

play \ˈsti-kē-nəs\ noun

See sticky defined for English-language learners

See sticky defined for kids

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 of sticky from the Web

In July, a ramp was closed for hours after a semi truck filled with glue overturned and spilled the sticky substance on the roadway.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Pigs running amok on highway, other crashes cause agency to examine Spaghetti Junction," 17 Aug. 2017
The S-crystallins feature a pair of loops that act as the proteins’ sticky patches and attract the loops of other S-crystallins.

— kai sinclair, Science | AAAS, "Watch the secret to a squid’s crystal clear underwater vision," 10 Aug. 2017
On some, visitors were asked to post sticky notes or dots, depending on questions mounted on the individual boards.

— allan vought, The Aegis, "At a community forum, a hopeful view emerges about Edgewood's future," 19 July 2017
But the real genius of Popbar appears at first glance to be the chain’s solution to the sticky-finger, ice cream sandwich conundrum.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "Here come the poparazzi: WestBend shopping center to get its first dessert destination," 18 July 2017
The mechanism is used to freak out predators and coat their jaws in a sticky, transparent cloud that allows the hagfish to escape.

— alex horton, Washington Post, "Overturned truck of ‘slime eels’ transforms Oregon road into highway of nightmares," 14 July 2017
The mechanism is used to freak out predators and coat their jaws in a sticky, transparent cloud that allows the hagfish to escape.

— the washington post, AL.com, "Overturned truck spills tons of sticky 'slime eels' on Oregon highway," 14 July 2017
Hagfish secrete sticky ooze when they're attacked, startled or, apparently, catapulted from a truck into oncoming traffic.

— the washington post, AL.com, "Overturned truck spills tons of sticky 'slime eels' on Oregon highway," 14 July 2017
Photos show one car just dripping with the sticky substance.

— debbi baker, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Spilled load of slime eels creates sticky mess on Oregon highway," 14 July 2017

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.

First Known Use of sticky

1688

sticky Synonyms

Synonyms

adherent, adhesive, clingy, gluey, glutinous, gummy, tacky, tenacious, viscid

Antonyms

nonadhesive

Related Words

gelatinous, gooey, ropy (also ropey), syrupy, viscous; pitchy, tarry

Near Antonyms

nonviscous

STICKY Defined for English Language Learners

sticky

play

adjective

Definition of sticky for English Language Learners

: having a substance (such as glue or honey) on it that things easily attach to : covered in a substance that things stick to
of a substance : tending to have things attach to it : tending to have things stick to it
: unpleasantly warm and humid

STICKY Defined for Kids

sticky

play

adjective \ ˈsti-kē \

Definition of sticky for Students

stickier; stickiest

1 :tending to cling like glue :adhesive

sticky syrup

2 :coated with a substance that sticks to things

My fingers are sticky.

3 :muggy, humid

a sticky day

4 :tending to become blocked or jammed

sticky windows

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stickiness

noun

Learn More about sticky

See words that rhyme with sticky Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sticky Spanish Central: Translation of sticky Nglish: Translation of sticky for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sticky for Arabic speakers

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STICKY Defined for English Language Learners

sticky

Definition of sticky for English Language Learners

STICKY Defined for Kids

sticky

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stickiness

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