sticky
Sticky (adjective) means Coated with a substance that clings to things it touches; tending to stick. Example: “His hands were sticky from the melted candy.”
How to use sticky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTending to adhere or cling, awkward/tricky, or uncomfortably humid, depending on context.
Word forms
stickier comparative, stickied past tense, stickies plural, Stickies plural, stickies singular, stickiest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His hands were _____ from the melted candy.
Etymology
From stick plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.
Related words
Rhymes for sticky
See all rhymes for sticky →Frequently asked questions
What does “sticky” mean?
The word “sticky” means coated with a substance that clings to things it touches; tending to stick. In plain terms, tending to adhere or cling, awkward/tricky, or uncomfortably humid, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “sticky”?
“Sticky” is pronounced STIH-kee (/ˈstɪki/ in IPA).
How do you use “sticky” in a sentence?
Here is “sticky” used in a sentence: “His hands were sticky from the melted candy.”
What is another word for “sticky”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sticky” include tenacious, glutinous, muggy and sultry.
What part of speech is “sticky”?
Depending on how it is used, “sticky” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “sticky” a common word?
“Sticky” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sticky” have?
“Sticky” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: coated with a substance that clings to things it touches; tending to stick.
What is the difference between "sticky" meaning adhesive and "sticky" meaning difficult?
The adhesive sense describes a physical substance that clings to surfaces it touches, while the "difficult" sense is a figurative extension used for an awkward or tricky situation to handle.
What is a "sticky note"?
A sticky note is a small piece of paper with an adhesive strip on the back, used for quick reminders and commonly known by the brand name Post-it.
When would you call a situation "sticky" rather than "difficult"?
"Sticky" implies a situation is awkward or delicate and hard to escape cleanly, often with a hint of embarrassment or risk, making it more vivid than the neutral "difficult."
Is "sticky weather" the same as "humid weather"?
Yes, "sticky" is an informal way to describe hot, humid conditions that leave skin feeling damp and uncomfortable.