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 notesIn plain EnglishThick and slow-flowing, like honey or syrup.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a viscous liquid
viscous fluid
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more viscous
- Superlative
- most viscous
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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.
