English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj

viscous

VIHS-kuhs

Viscous (adj) means Thick and sticky, flowing slowly rather than freely. Example: “The syrup was too viscous to pour easily in the cold kitchen.”

adj
1
Thick and sticky, flowing slowly rather than freely.
"The syrup was too viscous to pour easily in the cold kitchen."

How to use viscous

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThick and slow-flowing, like honey or syrup.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
a viscous liquid viscous fluid

Word forms

more viscous comparative, most viscous superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “viscous” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The syrup was too _____ to pour easily in the cold kitchen.

Etymology

From Late Latin viscosus, from Latin viscum, "birdlime," a sticky substance made from plants.

Origin: Late Latin

Related words

Rhymes for viscous

See all rhymes for 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.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial