sticky

1 of 2

adjective

ˈsti-kē How to pronounce sticky (audio)
stickier; stickiest
Synonyms of stickynext
1
a
: adhesive
a sticky material
b(1)
: viscous, gluey
sticky syrup
(2)
: coated with a sticky substance
sticky little fingers
… it must have been just repainted, it looked so bright and sticky …—Lewis Carroll
2
: humid, muggy
also : clammy
3
: tending to stick
4
a
: disagreeable, unpleasant
came to a sticky end
b
: awkward, stiff
c
: difficult, problematic
a sticky situation
5
: excessively sentimental : cloying
stickily
ˈsti-kə-lē How to pronounce sticky (audio)
adverb
stickiness
ˈsti-kē-nəs How to pronounce sticky (audio)
noun

stickiness

2 of 2

noun

stick·​i·​ness ˈstikēnə̇s How to pronounce stickiness (audio)
-kin-
plural -es
: the quality or state of being sticky

Synonyms of sticky

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of sticky in a Sentence

Adjective The sap is very sticky. There is a sticky substance on the table. The paint was still sticky. The weather was hot and sticky.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Her worldwide museum experience had taught her the foibles of museums and academia, but her sense of humor and common sense settled some sticky situations while moving (the museum) as a center for socially transformative debates. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Since Rock Candy came out in February, Mackeeper have continued to churn out sticky songs, and had one of them appear in The Drama. — Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026 Mediheal's Madecassoside Moisture Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++ strikes a nice balance, with a non-sticky texture that feels more like one of your favorite lightweight Korean serums than traditional sunscreen. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Oct. 2026 In a post-Brat era one can no longer be derided for smoking weed on-camera, but you can be positioned as amoral if an accusation of microaggressive or offensive behavior is sticky enough. — Ivy Wolk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sticky

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sticky was in 1688

Phrases Containing sticky

Rhymes for sticky

See All Rhymes for sticky

Browse Nearby Words

stickwort
sticky
stickybeak
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sticky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sticky. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sticky

adjective
ˈstik-ē How to pronounce sticky (audio)
stickier; stickiest
1
a
: adhesive entry 1, gluey
sticky syrup
b
: coated with a sticky substance
the tabletop was sticky
2
: muggy, humid
a hot sticky day
3
: tending to stick
sticky windows
stickily
ˈstik-ə-lē How to pronounce sticky (audio)
adverb
stickiness
ˈstik-ē-nəs How to pronounce sticky (audio)
noun
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