viscous
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for viscous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Thick and sticky, flowing slowly rather than freely.
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.
Antonyms
How to use viscous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a viscous liquid
viscous fluid
Etymology
From Late Latin viscosus, from Latin viscum, "birdlime," a sticky substance made from plants.
Full origin of viscous →Frequently asked questions
What does “viscous” mean?
The word “viscous” means thick and sticky, flowing slowly rather than freely. In plain terms, thick and slow-flowing, like honey or syrup.
How do you pronounce “viscous”?
“Viscous” is pronounced VIHS-kuhs (/ˈvɪs.kəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “viscous” in a sentence?
Here is “viscous” used in a sentence: “The syrup was too viscous to pour easily in the cold kitchen.”
What is another word for “viscous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “viscous” include lentous, glutinous, gooey, slabby, stiff and syrupy.
What is the opposite of “viscous”?
The opposite of “viscous” — its antonyms — are runny and fluid.
What part of speech is “viscous”?
“Viscous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “viscous” come from?
The word “viscous” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin viscosus, from Latin viscum, "birdlime," a sticky substance made from plants.
