adhesive
coated with glue, paste, mastic, or other sticky substance: adhesive bandages.
sticking fast; sticky; clinging.
Physics. of or relating to the molecular force that exists in the area of contact between unlike bodies and that acts to unite them.
a substance that causes something to adhere, as glue or rubber cement.
Philately. a postage stamp with a gummed back, as distinguished from one embossed or printed on an envelope or card.
Origin of adhesive
1Other words from adhesive
- ad·he·sive·ly, adverb
- ad·he·sive·ness, noun
- non·ad·he·sive, adjective
- non·ad·he·sive·ly, adverb
- non·ad·he·sive·ness, noun
- sem·i·ad·he·sive, adjective
- sem·i·ad·he·sive·ly, adverb
- sem·i·ad·he·sive·ness, noun
- un·ad·he·sive, adjective
- un·ad·he·sive·ly, adverb
- un·ad·he·sive·ness, noun
Words Nearby adhesive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use adhesive in a sentence
You can also slip the magnet between your phone and phone case and forgo an adhesive.
To set up the MagicMount, you first attach its plastic base to your dash with a peel-back adhesive.
Be aware the adhesive backing will not adhere to textured surfaces.
Cork boards for organizing your home or office | PopSci Commerce Team | September 17, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThis plastic case is equipped with 100 first aid resources, including six antiseptic towelettes, 12 alcohol wipes, and 30 adhesive bandages.
The best first aid kits for staying safe and prepared | PopSci Commerce Team | September 4, 2020 | Popular-ScienceWorn like an adhesive bandage, this skin patch looks simple on the outside.
Sweat tech alerts athletes when to rehydrate — and with what | Silke Schmidt | May 21, 2020 | Science News For Students
Then, the merkin is applied with an adhesive; Ledermann uses a matte substance by Telesis.
Have you ever seen 11 players with a relationship so adhesive to the ball?
This work fascinates children, and as the stars are adhesive, it can be done in class with very little trouble.
The Story of the Thirteen Colonies | H. A. (Hlne Adeline) GuerberIn the case of a sprained ankle a properly applied adhesive strap bandage will give no end of relief and support.
The Mother and Her Child | William S. SadlerThe tape Mac used to insure his connection had an asbestos base, with adhesive gum insinuated into the tape.
Tight Squeeze | Dean Charles IngThe side of the box showed that it had been made adhesive, for the sake of security, to another substance.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete | George MeredithVirgil refers to it as a "glue more adhesive than bird-lime and the pitch of Phrygian Ida."
A Year in the Fields | John Burroughs
British Dictionary definitions for adhesive
/ (ədˈhiːsɪv) /
able or designed to adhere; sticky: adhesive tape
tenacious or clinging
a substance used for sticking objects together, such as glue, cement, or paste
Derived forms of adhesive
- adhesively, adverb
- adhesiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for adhesive
[ ăd-hē′sĭv ]
A substance, such as paste or cement, that causes two surfaces to stick together. Adhesives are made of gelatin or other substances, such as epoxy, resin, or polyethylene.
Relating to adhesion.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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