adhesive

American  

[ad-hee-siv, -ziv] / ædˈhi sɪv, -zɪv /

adjective

1. coated with glue, paste, mastic, or other sticky substance.

   adhesive bandages.

2. sticking fast; sticky; clinging.

3. Physics. of or relating to the molecular force that exists in the area of contact between unlike bodies and that acts to unite them.

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noun

1. a substance that causes something to adhere, as glue or rubber cement.

2. adhesive tape.

3. Philately. a postage stamp with a gummed back, as distinguished from one embossed or printed on an envelope or card.

adhesive British  

/ ədˈhiːsɪv /

adjective

1. able or designed to adhere; sticky

   adhesive tape

2. tenacious or clinging

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noun

1. a substance used for sticking objects together, such as glue, cement, or paste

adhesive Scientific  

/ ăd-hē′sĭv /

1. A substance, such as paste or cement, that causes two surfaces to stick together. Adhesives are made of gelatin or other substances, such as epoxy, resin, or polyethylene.

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1. Relating to adhesion.

Other Word Forms

• adhesively adverb
• adhesiveness noun
• nonadhesive adjective
• nonadhesively adverb
• nonadhesiveness noun
• semiadhesive adjective
• semiadhesively adverb
• semiadhesiveness noun
• unadhesive adjective
• unadhesively adverb
• unadhesiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of adhesive

First recorded in 1660–70; adhes(ion) + -ive

Explanation

An adhesive is something sticky that holds things together. Use an adhesive to repair a cracked plate. Adhesive comes from the Latin adhaerere, meaning "stick to," which is precisely what something adhesive does — it sticks to things. An adhesive bonds surfaces together. It's the sticky side on a roll of duct tape that causes it to be so effective. The word can be used to describe both the substance itself: to use an adhesive, for example — or its property of stickiness: an adhesive bandage sticks to the skin.

Example Sentences

Materials used in adhesive and wetness indicators are also rarely disclosed on packaging.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Previously, thin layers of MoSe2 were created using exfoliation -- a method similar to peeling layers off a crystal with adhesive tape.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

Carlos worked for 25 years at a small adhesive company, where he became plant manager.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

"Hair has an adhesive quality and the ability to capture certain contaminants," says Mattia Carenini, Global Hubs Director at Matter of Trust.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

While I worked, I could feel a virtual tug-of-war going on between my hands and the cells’ powerful adhesive ability.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Related Words

• gummy
• sticky