WordGarden.iosticky
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /stˈɪki/
US
- /ˈstɪki/
Meanings
Adjective
tacky or likely to cling to other surfaces
difficult, awkward, or hard to deal with
humid, clammy, or slightly wet in an uncomfortable way
More meaningsFewer meanings
remaining fixed in place on screen while surrounding content scrolls
Beyond the definition
Something sticky holds on tight. Think of honey on your fingers, tape that will not let go, or a humid afternoon when your shirt clings to your skin. "Sticky" describes things that easily stay on other surfaces, both in a real sense and in a figurative one. You might notice a sticky patch after peeling off a price tag, or you might end up in a "sticky situation," which means a problem that is awkward, messy, or hard to get out of. Whether it is a physical mess or a tricky problem, the idea is the same: it is hard to shake off.
"Sticky" is a versatile word for anything that tends to cling, stay attached, or be hard to get rid of. Most often, it describes a physical texture: the sugary feel of syrup, the tackiness of wet paint, or the glue-like patch left behind after a bandage or label is removed. For example: "The child's hands were sticky after eating the lollipop." It is also commonly used for hot, humid weather that makes your skin feel damp and your clothes cling to you.
Beyond the physical, "sticky" often describes situations that are difficult, awkward, or embarrassing. If someone says they are in a sticky situation, they mean they are stuck in a problem that is not easy to fix or leave behind. In some modern uses, "stickiness" can also describe how well something stays in your mind or keeps your attention. A sticky idea, song, or website is one that people remember and return to.
The word comes from Old English stician, connected with the idea of sticking fast or remaining fixed. Over time, it grew from a physical description into a broader everyday word for things that cling, linger, or create trouble. Whether you are dealing with spilled soda on a table, humid air on your skin, or a social problem that will not go away, "sticky" carries the same basic feeling: something is staying with you longer than you want.
Examples
- 1
Food mess
My hands were sticky with jam after breakfast.
- 2
Reminder
Write your number on a sticky note and leave it on my desk.
- 3
Baking
This dough is still too sticky to roll out.
- 4
Weather
By noon, the air was hot and sticky, and everyone looked tired.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Difficult situation
We got into a sticky situation when both groups booked the same room.
- Phrasea sticky situation
a difficult situation that is hard to solve
- 6
Sensitive topic
Money is a sticky subject in their family, so nobody brought it up at dinner.
- Phrasea sticky subject
a topic that is hard or uncomfortable to talk about
- 7
Theft warning
Keep your wallet close in that market because some people have sticky fingers.
- Phrasesticky fingers
a habit of stealing
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- stickyadjective
Forms
- stickiercomparativeadjective
- stickiestsuperlativeadjective