stickier; stickiest
3
: tending to stick
4
a
: disagreeable, unpleasant
came to a sticky end
c
: difficult, problematic
a sticky situation
5
: excessively sentimental : cloying
Synonyms
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
Mini Basque Cheese Fun and rich, with a thick, almost sticky texture.
—
Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 2 Dec. 2023
The light-as-a-feather formula sinks right into skin and doesn’t feel sticky or greasy at all.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Done with the coughing and my clothes smelling all sticky icky.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2023
In a spacious Houston cafeteria awash in primary colors, diners crowded around big tables and dug into mashed potatoes splashed with a slick gravy, glossy green beans and sticky slabs of pecan pie.
—Priya Krishna, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
The tube of sticky stuff is inspired by the tangy-sweet condiment ubiquitous in Filipino homes (and on the counter at all the best Filipino restaurants).
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2023
Aom is another distinctly Laotian dish, a stew built from a base of tropical herbs and thickened with sticky rice.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
High-grip tires are traditionally short-lived and inefficient, but thanks to sticky science and renewable materials, that’s changing.
—Tim Stevens, The Verge, 17 Nov. 2023
Some sea cucumbers are also known to shoot out a tangle of sticky, noodle-like goo from their butts when provoked.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 2 Dec. 2023
The light-as-a-feather formula sinks right into skin and doesn’t feel sticky or greasy at all.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Done with the coughing and my clothes smelling all sticky icky.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2023
In a spacious Houston cafeteria awash in primary colors, diners crowded around big tables and dug into mashed potatoes splashed with a slick gravy, glossy green beans and sticky slabs of pecan pie.
—Priya Krishna, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
The tube of sticky stuff is inspired by the tangy-sweet condiment ubiquitous in Filipino homes (and on the counter at all the best Filipino restaurants).
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2023
Aom is another distinctly Laotian dish, a stew built from a base of tropical herbs and thickened with sticky rice.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
High-grip tires are traditionally short-lived and inefficient, but thanks to sticky science and renewable materials, that’s changing.
—Tim Stevens, The Verge, 17 Nov. 2023
Some sea cucumbers are also known to shoot out a tangle of sticky, noodle-like goo from their butts when provoked.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sticky.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing sticky
Dictionary Entries Near sticky
Cite this Entry
“Sticky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sticky. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
sticky
adjective
stickier; stickiest
1
a
: adhesive entry 1, gluey
sticky syrup
b
: coated with a sticky substance
the tabletop was sticky
3
: tending to stick
sticky windows
More from Merriam-Webster on sticky
Nglish: Translation of sticky for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of sticky for Arabic Speakers
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