stick
stihk
Stick (noun) means a thin piece of wood, especially a fallen branch or twig. Example: “The dog ran off with a stick in its mouth.”
noun
1
A thin piece of wood, especially a fallen branch or twig.
"The dog ran off with a stick in its mouth."
"They gathered sticks to build a campfire."
"She picked up a stick and drew a circle in the sand."
2
A long, thin implement used for a specific purpose, such as a walking cane, a hockey stick, or a gear lever.
"He grabbed his hockey stick and headed to the rink."
"She drives a stick, not an automatic."
"Grandad leaned on his walking stick as he climbed the hill."
verb
1
To become attached to a surface, usually with glue or something sticky.
"The label wouldn't stick to the wet jar."
"Rice tends to stick to the bottom of the pan if you don't stir it."
"The stamp refused to stick to the envelope until I licked it again."
2
To push a pointed object into something; to pierce.
"He stuck a fork into the potato to check if it was done."
"Be careful not to stick the needle into your finger while you sew."
3
To remain firm, loyal, or persistent, especially with "with" or "to."
"She decided to stick with her original plan."
"Whatever happens, I will stick by you through the difficult times."
"If you stick to your daily routine, the habit will soon feel easy."
How to use stick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA thin piece of wood or a similar rod-shaped tool, or (as a verb) to adhere, pierce, or stay committed to something.
Common mistake
"Get some stick" (British slang for criticism) is different from literally getting hit with a stick — context makes it clear.
Common pairings
stick figure
stick with it
get the short end of the stick
stick out
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Word forms
- Plural
- sticks
- Third person singular
- sticks
- Past tense
- sticked, stuck
- Comparative
- sticker
- Superlative
- stickest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog ran off with a _____ in its mouth.
Etymology
From Old English sticca ("rod, twig"), related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to pierce" — the same root behind "stigma."
Related words
Rhymes for stick
See all rhymes for 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.
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