adhesive
9 synonyms and 4 antonyms for adhesive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A substance, such as glue, used to stick things together.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A substance, such as glue, used to stick things together.
“The company developed a new kind of waterproof adhesive.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Sticky; able to stick to a surface.
“The tape has an adhesive backing that peels off easily.”
Opposites
nonadhesive
How to use adhesive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
adhesive tape
strong adhesive
adhesive backing
Etymology
From French adhésif, from Medieval Latin adhaesivus, related to adhere.
Full origin of adhesive →Frequently asked questions
What does “adhesive” mean?
The word “adhesive” means a substance, such as glue, used to stick things together. In plain terms, something sticky, or a glue-like substance used to bond things together.
How do you pronounce “adhesive”?
“Adhesive” is pronounced uhd-HEE-sihv (/ədˈhi.sɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “adhesive” in a sentence?
Here is “adhesive” used in a sentence: “Use a strong adhesive to fix the tile back in place.”
What is another word for “adhesive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “adhesive” include tenacious, adherent, agglutinative, clidgy, clingsome and clingy.
What is the opposite of “adhesive”?
The opposite of “adhesive” — its antonyms — are nonadhesive, nonsticking, nonsticky and slippery.
What part of speech is “adhesive”?
Depending on how it is used, “adhesive” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “adhesive” come from?
The word “adhesive” comes from Medieval Latin. From French adhésif, from Medieval Latin adhaesivus, related to adhere.
Is “adhesive” a common word?
“Adhesive” is an uncommon word in modern English.
