viscous

adjective

vis·​cous ˈvi-skəs How to pronounce viscous (audio)
1
: having a thick or sticky consistency : viscid
viscous secretions
viscous corn syrup
2
technical : having or characterized by a high resistance to flow
viscous lava
viscously adverb
viscousness noun

Examples of viscous in a Sentence

viscous syrup that takes forever to pour from a narrow-neck bottle
Recent Examples on the Web Moreover, most of the complex parts in a car that require viscous fluids do not exist in a BEV, i.e., no engine or transmission to worry about. Robin Warner, Ars Technica, 5 Dec. 2023 The vodka should be of premium quality and to give the cocktail a velvety, viscous quality, use vodka that’s been stored in the freezer until preparation. Jillian Dara, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 The temperature hovered above freezing — nearly balmy by end-of-year Midwestern standards, when football games were often played on fields that had turned to viscous soup or had frozen solid as a sidewalk. Bill Morris, Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024 The close-ups are beautiful and deliver the texture and impact of his thick, viscous brushstrokes. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024 The particles can compose up to 80 percent of the liquid’s weight while leaving it no more viscous than motor oil. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2023 In contrast to Kroger, our other viscous orange juice, Trader Joe’s had a fresh finish. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 8 Dec. 2023 Maybe my hairy body is like a drone’s: eating pollen grains from a thousand flowers, spreading nectar across the comb in darkness, then flapping my wings to dry up the water and hasten the creation of viscous honey. Henri Cole, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023 The autumn rains and spring thaw turn every step into a difficult negotiation through a viscous concoction. Marc Santora, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'viscous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English viscouse, from Anglo-French viscos, from Late Latin viscosus full of birdlime, viscous, from Latin viscum mistletoe, birdlime; akin to Old High German wīhsila cherry, Greek ixos mistletoe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of viscous was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near viscous

Cite this Entry

“Viscous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viscous. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

viscous

adjective
vis·​cous ˈvis-kəs How to pronounce viscous (audio)
1
: having the characteristic of stickiness
2
: having or marked by viscosity

Medical Definition

viscous

adjective
vis·​cous ˈvis-kəs How to pronounce viscous (audio)
1
: having a glutinous consistency and the quality of sticking or adhering : viscid
2
: having or characterized by viscosity
a viscous flow

More from Merriam-Webster on viscous

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