sticky
having the property of adhering, as glue; adhesive.
covered with adhesive or viscid matter: sticky hands.
(of the weather or climate) hot and humid: It was an unbearably sticky day.
requiring careful treatment; awkwardly difficult: a rather sticky diplomatic problem; Breaking the news is going to be sticky.
Informal. unpleasant; unfortunate; nasty: The villain of the story meets a sticky end.
one of a number of small sheets of paper on a pad, each having an adhesive backing that allows it to be positioned and repositioned on smooth surfaces.
Origin of sticky
1Other words for sticky
Other words from sticky
- stick·i·ly, adverb
- stick·i·ness, noun
- non·stick·y, adjective
- un·stick·y, adjective
Words Nearby sticky
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use sticky in a sentence
For most insects, the sticky, slingshot ride straight into a frog’s mouth spells the end.
Some beetles can be eaten by a frog, then walk out the other end | Jonathan Lambert | September 4, 2020 | Science News For StudentsThe dietitian left her recommendations for Johnson on sticky notes and filed them electronically.
Sugiura confirmed that the beetles were actively escaping from the frog’s digestive tract by using sticky wax to fix some beetles’ legs together.
Water beetles can live on after being eaten and excreted by a frog | Jonathan Lambert | August 3, 2020 | Science NewsWhen threatened, these ocean creatures ooze a sticky mucus that can glow blue for days.
This tube worm’s glowing slime may help sustain its own shine | Carolyn Wilke | June 5, 2020 | Science News For StudentsSo far, they have reported that the lungs are filled with sticky mucus.
How to cope as COVID-19 imposes social distancing | Sheila Mulrooney Eldred | March 23, 2020 | Science News For Students
Paddle8 already has a “sticky collector base who are addicted to the site,” he says.
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty | Tim Teeman | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEmpty cigarette packs, liquor bottles, containers sticky with food residue covered the floor.
She is equally desirous of Levine, as animalistic and eager to consume him while sticky with sanguine fluid.
Sex, Blood and Maroon 5: Pop Culture’s Wounds Run Deep | Lizzie Crocker | October 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThat was cold, and I was covered in sticky blood in winter in England, on a castle wall.
Life After Deaths: Sean Bean on 'Game of Thrones' Paternity and 'Legends' | Jason Lynch | August 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEach of them was coated in something resembling a gray, sticky batter.
Life Under Air Strikes: Children Under Fire Will Never Forget — or Forgive | Clive Irving | August 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHow could this be done so that our clothing would be made water-tight and yet not be sticky in summer or stiff in winter?
The Wonder Book of Knowledge | VariousThe sheets of rubber from which the uppers and soles are cut are at this stage of the work plastic and very sticky.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge | VariousNothing more innocent-appearing yet more villainously sticky have I ever before encountered.
Mrs. Raffles | John Kendrick Bangs"These, madam," said I, handing her a small plush bag into which I had poured the "salvage" taken from my sticky palms.
Mrs. Raffles | John Kendrick BangsPresently fingers came in contact with certain matter, which was thick and sticky to the touch.
Menotah | Ernest G. Henham
British Dictionary definitions for sticky
/ (ˈstɪkɪ) /
covered or daubed with an adhesive or viscous substance: sticky fingers
having the property of sticking to a surface
(of weather or atmosphere) warm and humid; muggy
(of prices) tending not to fall in deflationary conditions
informal difficult, awkward, or painful: a sticky business
US informal sentimental
(of a website) encouraging users to visit repeatedly
(tr) informal to make sticky
short for stickybeak
an inquisitive look or stare (esp in the phrase have a sticky at)
Derived forms of sticky
- stickily, adverb
- stickiness, 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
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