stuck
stuhk
Stuck (adjective) means Unable to move or be moved; fixed in place. Example: “The car got stuck in the mud after the storm.”
adjective
1
Unable to move or be moved; fixed in place.
"The car got stuck in the mud after the storm."
"The zipper is stuck and won’t budge."
"The key is stuck in the lock and I can't turn it."
2
Unable to make progress with a task or problem.
"I’m stuck on this math question — can you help?"
"I'm stuck on the last clue of the crossword."
"She felt stuck at work, with no chance to learn anything new."
How to use stuck
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPhysically unable to move, or mentally unable to progress with something.
Common pairings
stuck in traffic
get stuck
stuck on a problem
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Word forms
- Plural
- stucks
- Comparative
- more stuck
- Superlative
- most stuck
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car got _____ in the mud after the storm.
Etymology
Compare with stoccado.
Related words
Rhymes for stuck
See all rhymes for stuck →Frequently asked questions
What does “stuck” mean?
The word “stuck” means unable to move or be moved; fixed in place. In plain terms, physically unable to move, or mentally unable to progress with something.
How do you pronounce “stuck”?
“Stuck” is pronounced stuhk (/stʌk/ in IPA).
How do you use “stuck” in a sentence?
Here is “stuck” used in a sentence: “The car got stuck in the mud after the storm.”
What part of speech is “stuck”?
“Stuck” is an adjective.
Is “stuck” a common word?
“Stuck” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “stuck” have?
“Stuck” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unable to move or be moved; fixed in place.
What is the difference between stuck and trapped?
Both mean unable to move, but trapped stresses being caught with no way out, often with a sense of danger, as in trapped in a lift. Stuck is broader and usually milder: a drawer can be stuck, or a car stuck in mud. Trapped tends to feel more serious and deliberate than stuck.
What does it mean to be stuck?
To be stuck is to be unable to move or be moved, fixed firmly in place. A key can be stuck in a lock, or a wheel stuck in the snow. Figuratively, people say they are stuck when they cannot make progress, such as being stuck on a puzzle or stuck in a routine.
What is the opposite of stuck?
The opposites include free, loose, moving, unstuck, or released. A stuck door will not budge; a free one swings open easily. If something jammed comes loose, or a stalled situation starts moving again, it is no longer stuck. The best opposite depends on the physical or figurative sense you mean.
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