clammy

[ klam-ee ]

adjective

, clam·mi·er, clam·mi·est.

1. covered with a cold, sticky moisture; cold and damp:

   clammy hands.

2. sickly; morbid:

   She had a clammy feeling that something was wrong at home.

clammy

/ ˈklæmɪ /

adjective

1. unpleasantly sticky; moist

   clammy hands

2. (of the weather, atmosphere, etc) close; humid

Derived Forms

• ˈclamminess, noun
• ˈclammily, adverb

Other Words From

• clammi·ly adverb
• clammi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clammy¹

1350–1400; Middle English, equivalent to Middle English clam sticky, cold and damp + -y -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of clammy¹

C14: from Old English clǣman to smear; related to Old Norse kleima, Old High German kleimen

Example Sentences

We were out of snacks, our thighs clammy against the plastic seats.

From Outside Online

All this neurological mumbo-jumbo creates a clammy atmosphere for what is, at its heart, a tender story about a child who responds to the plight of our planet just as passionately as we all should.

From Washington Post

High temperatures are chilly and clammy, in the upper 50s to perhaps mid-60s if we see more sunshine than currently expected.

From Washington Post

Low temperatures bottom out in the low to mid-50s, with that clammy feeling to the moistening air.

From Washington Post

The thick fish smell wafted through the soupy air, and my skin went clammy.

From The Daily Beast

Beads of sweat now covered his forehead, and his arms and legs were clammy.

From The Daily Beast

We do not need to revisit the clammy atelier of science class.

From The Daily Beast

Lately, beneath the lights, Abramovic looks clammy and bloodless.

From The Daily Beast

Until the threshold of 270 was crossed, the stillness of the clammy night continued to hang over the city.

From The Daily Beast

She had come close to the trembling old man, and put one of her hands on his cold, clammy one.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, with a clammy shudder, young Warlow thought of the agony and speedy death that was certain to follow.

From Project Gutenberg

But, as the clammy leaves swept upon his face, there was a loud, vibrating report.

From Project Gutenberg

It started out with sticky oatmeal, and ended with clammy cakes, between which was much horror.

From Project Gutenberg

When first his hand, warm in life, touched the clammy flesh of a corpse, he shuddered.

From Project Gutenberg