stick
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for stick, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A thin piece of wood, especially a fallen branch or twig.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
How to use stick
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English sticca ("rod, twig"), related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to pierce" — the same root behind "stigma."
Full origin of stick →Frequently asked questions
What does “stick” mean?
The word “stick” means a thin piece of wood, especially a fallen branch or twig. In plain terms, a thin piece of wood or a similar rod-shaped tool, or (as a verb) to adhere, pierce, or stay committed to something.
How do you pronounce “stick”?
“Stick” is pronounced stihk (/stɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “stick” in a sentence?
Here is “stick” used in a sentence: “The dog ran off with a stick in its mouth.”
What is another word for “stick”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stick” include twig.
What part of speech is “stick”?
Depending on how it is used, “stick” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “stick” come from?
The word “stick” comes from Old English. From Old English sticca ("rod, twig"), related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to pierce" — the same root behind "stigma.".
Is “stick” a common word?
“Stick” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “stick” have?
“Stick” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin piece of wood, especially a fallen branch or twig.
What is the difference between a stick and a branch?
A branch is a limb that grows out from the trunk of a tree and is still attached to it. A stick is usually a smaller piece that has broken off or fallen — detached, thin, and easy to pick up. Once a branch is on the ground, we tend to call it a stick.
What is the difference between a stick and a twig?
A twig is a very small, slender shoot at the tip of a branch, often no thicker than a pencil. A stick is broader, covering any thin length of fallen wood, from a slim twig up to a sturdy branch you could lean on. Every twig is a stick, but not every stick is a twig.
What are sticks used for?
Sticks have countless uses: as kindling and firewood, as walking aids, for playing fetch with a dog, for roasting food over a fire, and in crafts or building. Children use them in imaginative play, and hikers pick them up as makeshift trekking poles.