STICKY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sticky mean? 

• STICKY (adjective)
  The adjective STICKY has 5 senses:

1. having the sticky properties of an adhesive

2. moist as with undried perspiration and with clothing sticking to the body

3. hot or warm and humid

4. hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment

5. covered with an adhesive material

  Familiarity information: STICKY used as an adjective is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STICKY (adjective)

Comparative: stickier   
Superlative: stickiest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having the sticky properties of an adhesive

Synonyms:

gluey; glutinous; gummy; mucilaginous; pasty; sticky; viscid; viscous

Similar:

adhesive (tending to adhere)

Derivation:

stickiness (the property of sticking to a surface)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Moist as with undried perspiration and with clothing sticking to the body

Context example:

felt sticky and chilly at the same time

Similar:

wet (covered or soaked with a liquid such as water)

Derivation:

stickiness (the property of sticking to a surface)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Hot or warm and humid

Synonyms:

muggy; steamy; sticky

Context example:

sticky weather

Similar:

wet (covered or soaked with a liquid such as water)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment

Synonyms:

awkward; embarrassing; sticky; unenviable

Context example:

in the unenviable position of resorting to an act he had planned to save for the climax of the campaign

Similar:

difficult; hard (not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Covered with an adhesive material

Similar:

adhesive (tending to adhere)

Derivation:

stickiness (the property of sticking to a surface)

 Context examples 

A sticky patch may hold the gel electrode on the skin so that the electrical activity of the heart or brain can be measured.

(Gel electrode, NCI Dictionary)

A common way to collect the eggs is with a sticky piece of clear tape.

(Pinworms, NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Amyloid-beta does attach itself to lipid molecules, however, which are sticky and insoluble.

(Brain cholesterol associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, University of Cambridge)

The modified hemoglobin causes normally round red blood cells to become stiff, sticky, and sickle-shaped.

(Stem cell transplant reverses sickle cell disease in adults, NIH)

CAD happens when a sticky substance called plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, reducing blood flow.

(Angina, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

If you have coronary artery disease, the arteries in your heart are narrowed or blocked by a sticky material called plaque.

(Angioplasty, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Heroin is a white or brown powder or a black, sticky goo.

(Heroin, NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse)

CF causes your mucus to be thick and sticky.

(Cystic Fibrosis, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Plaque is a sticky substance made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood.

(Atherosclerosis, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

A semi-solid composed of a sticky, mucilaginous polysaccharide.

(Gum Dosage Form, NCI Thesaurus)