Sticky Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on October 1, 2025
Sticky means tending to adhere to objects upon contact, often causing difficulty in handling; viscous or adhesive. e.g., The kitchen floor was sticky after the spill.
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Sticky Definitions
Having a property of adhering or clinging to surfaces, hard to remove.
Her hands were sticky from the syrup.
Characterized by high humidity and discomfort.
It was a particularly sticky day in July.
Describing a web or software interface that keeps users engaged for long periods.
The app’s sticky features kept users coming back daily.
In finance, describing a situation where prices or rates are resistant to change despite external forces.
Wages in the sector are sticky and haven't decreased despite economic downturns.
Referring to substances that easily adhere to other materials.
The sticky glue bonded the pieces of wood together.
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Relating to food that is gooey or chewy in texture.
She enjoyed the sticky texture of the mochi.
Pertaining to a situation that is awkward or uncomfortable.
The conversation became sticky when the topic of money was brought up.
Having the property of adhering or sticking to a surface; adhesive.
Covered with an adhesive agent.
Warm and humid; muggy
A sticky day.
(Informal) Painful or difficult
A sticky situation.
(Economics) Tending to remain the same despite changes in the economy. Used of prices or wages.
Of or relating to an item of software or hardware, such as an onscreen graphic or mouse button, that remains active for a brief time after being touched
Sticky keys.
A sticky menu.
Of or relating to content designed to increase the duration of visits to a website.
Able or likely to adhere via the drying of a viscous substance.
Is this tape sticky enough to stay on that surface?
Potentially difficult to escape from.
This is a sticky situation. We could be in this for weeks if we're not careful.
Of weather, hot and windless and with high humidity, so that people feel sticky from sweating.
(finance) Tending to stay the same; resistant to change.
A sticky price; sticky wages
Persistent.
We should make the printing direction sticky so the user doesn't have to keep setting it.
Appearing on all virtual desktops.
Fixed at the top of the list of topics or threads so as to keep it in view.
Compelling enough to keep visitors from leaving.
A woman has come to me with the complaint that her website is not sticky: 70% of the visits last 30 seconds or less.
(informal) Resembling or characteristic of a stick. en
A sticky note, such as a post-it note.
Her desk is covered with yellow stickies.
(internet) A discussion thread fixed at the top of the list of topics or threads so as to keep it in view.
(manufacturing) A small adhesive particle found in wastepaper.
A sweet dessert wine.
To fix a thread at the top of the list of topics or threads so as to keep it in view.
Having the quality of sticking to a surface; adhesive; gluey; viscous; viscid; glutinous; tenacious.
Herbs which last longest are those of strong smell, and with a sticky stalk.
Having the properties of glue
Moist as with undried perspiration and with clothing sticking to the body;
Felt sticky and chilly at the same time
Hot or warm and humid;
Muggy weather
The steamy tropics
Sticky weather
Hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment;
Awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the discussion
An awkward pause followed his remark
A sticky question
In the unenviable position of resorting to an act he had planned to save for the climax of the campaign
Tending to remain in a situation; difficult to resolve or overcome.
The negotiation reached a sticky point over financial terms.
Requiring careful handling due to complexity or delicacy.
The political situation was sticky and required tactful discussion.
Involving or characterized by physical sensations of being coated with a residue.
After the marathon, his body felt sweaty and sticky.
Sticky Snonyms
Gummy
Having the properties of being viscous or sticky.
The candy left a gummy residue on her teeth.
Viscous
Having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid.
The viscous syrup poured slowly from the bottle.
Tenacious
Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely.
His tenacious grip on the rope saved him.
Adhesive
Able to stick fast to a surface or object.
They used adhesive tape to seal the box.
Clingy
Tending to adhere to something from slight pressure.
The clingy wrapper was difficult to remove.
Mucilaginous
Having a gelatinous or sticky quality.
The mucilaginous texture of aloe vera is excellent for skincare.
Gluey
Resembling glue in texture or stickiness.
The mixture became gluey and hard to stir.
Gooey
Soft and sticky.
They enjoyed the gooey chocolate brownies.
Tacky
Slightly sticky or showing a lack of style and refinement.
The paint was still tacky and not yet dry.
Syrupy
Having a thick, sticky fluid consistency.
The syrupy drink coated the glass as it was poured.
Sticky Idioms & Phrases
Sticky wicket
A particularly difficult or problematic situation, originally a cricket term.
Discussing salary can often be a sticky wicket during interviews.
Sticky fingers
A tendency to steal or pilfer.
Watch your belongings; there are people with sticky fingers around.
Sticky end
An unfortunate or untimely end.
The villain met a sticky end in the final act of the play.
Hot and sticky
Uncomfortably warm and humid.
The weather was hot and sticky, making it hard to sleep at night.
Sticky moment
A brief period during which difficulties or awkwardness occur.
There was a sticky moment when they both reached for the check.
Get into a sticky mess
To become involved in a complicated situation.
He got into a sticky mess with the law.
Sticky subject
A topic that is difficult or uncomfortable to discuss.
Politics can be a sticky subject at family gatherings.
Make the pages sticky
To make content compelling enough that users keep returning to it or can't stop reading it.
The thrilling plot made the pages sticky; I couldn’t put the book down.
Sticky Example Sentences
His sticky reputation as a troublemaker preceded him.
The summer air was thick and sticky, making outdoor activities challenging.
The buttons on the remote control were sticky from spilled juice.
They found themselves in a sticky financial situation.
She used a sticky dough to make the cinnamon rolls.
The book's cover felt sticky after being left in the car.
Negotiations hit a sticky point over contract terms.
They used sticky notes to organize thoughts on the whiteboard.
The debate became sticky when personal accusations were made.
Her hair felt sticky after the workout.
After walking through the fairgrounds, their shoes were sticky with mud.
The homemade caramel was deliciously sticky and sweet.
The classroom was hot and sticky, making it hard to concentrate.
The company's new website features were designed to be particularly sticky.
The discussion reached a sticky patch when conflicting interests surfaced.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in "sticky"?
"Sticky" has two syllables.
How is "sticky" used in a sentence?
"Sticky" is used to describe things that are adhesive or situations that are difficult, e.g., The debate over budget cuts became quite sticky.
How do we divide "sticky" into syllables?
"Sticky" is divided into syllables as stick-y.
What is a stressed syllable in "sticky"?
The stressed syllable in "sticky" is the first syllable, stick-.
What is the verb form of "sticky"?
"Sticky" itself is an adjective. The verb form related to "sticky" would be "stick."
What is the root word of "sticky"?
The root of "sticky" is from the verb "stick," which comes from the Old English "stician."
What part of speech is "sticky"?
"Sticky" is an adjective.
What is another term for "sticky"?
Another term for "sticky" is "tacky" or "adhesive."
Why is it called "sticky"?
The term "sticky" comes from the Old English "stician," meaning to adhere or remain attached, related to the verb "stick."
What is the singular form of "sticky"?
"Sticky" does not have a singular or plural form as it is an adjective.
What is the pronunciation of "sticky"?
"Sticky" is pronounced as /ˈstɪk.i/.
What is the plural form of "sticky"?
As an adjective, "sticky" does not have a plural form.
Is "sticky" a noun or adjective?
"Sticky" is an adjective.
Is "sticky" an adverb?
No, "sticky" is not an adverb.
Is the word “sticky” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
As an adjective, "sticky" cannot be a direct or indirect object but may describe one.
Which vowel is used before "sticky"?
Typically, "a" is used before "sticky" as in "a sticky label."
What is the opposite of "sticky"?
The opposite of "sticky" could be "slippery" or "smooth."
Which determiner is used with "sticky"?
Determiners like "a" or "the" can be used with "sticky," as in "a sticky situation" or "the sticky floor."
Is "sticky" an abstract noun?
"Sticky" is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Is "sticky" a collective noun?
No, "sticky" is not a collective noun.
Is the word "sticky" imperative?
As an adjective, "sticky" cannot be imperative.
Which conjunction is used with "sticky"?
Conjunctions like "and" can be used with "sticky," e.g., "sticky and sweet."
Which article is used with "sticky"?
The definite article "the" is often used with "sticky," especially when referring to specific instances, e.g., "the sticky residue."
Is "sticky" a negative or positive word?
"Sticky" can have either a negative or positive connotation depending on the context. It is often negative when referring to situations or conditions but can be neutral or positive when describing objects like candy or glue.
Is "sticky" a vowel or consonant?
"Sticky" begins with the consonant 's'.
Is "sticky" a countable noun?
"Sticky" is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Is the word "sticky" Gerund?
"Sticky" does not have a gerund form as it is not a verb.
Which preposition is used with "sticky"?
"Sticky" is often used with prepositions like "in" or "with," as in "sticky with syrup" or "in a sticky situation."
Is the "sticky" term a metaphor?
"Sticky" can be used metaphorically to describe situations that are complex or difficult to resolve.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
