clingy

American  

[kling-ee] / ˈklɪŋ i /

adjective

clingier, clingiest

1. apt to cling; adhesive or tenacious.

   a clingy fabric.

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Usage

What does clingy mean? A person who is overly attached to or emotionally dependent on another person can be described as clingy. What are some other words related to clingy?

• needy
• high-maintenance
• controlling
• jealous

Other Word Forms

• clinginess
  noun

Etymology

Origin of clingy

First recorded in 1700–10; cling ¹ + -y ¹

Explanation

Someone who's clingy needs a lot of attention or emotional support. Your clingy friend gets very upset when you hang out with your other pals and don't invite him. There are several ways to be clingy, including being emotionally demanding or possessive, like a clingy boyfriend. A clingy child might even physically cling to her parent's leg, wanting to be as close as possible. The emotional meaning of clingy comes from the image of a vine twined around a fencepost, clinging to it. Literally clingy things are sticky or adhesive, like a long, clingy skirt that sticks to your legs.

Example Sentences

Clingy owners have been blamed by the Bank of Italy for holding back growth, by blocking investments needed to drive productivity and putting off skilled managers.

From Reuters • Feb. 3, 2022

Clingy, needy, co-dependent - the Jessie in this comedy is dark.

From Washington Times • Jan. 19, 2016

Clingy behavior, as renowned University of Minnesota attachment researcher Alan Sroufe explained to me, is absolutely natural.

From Slate • Jan. 10, 2014

Related Words

• gummy
• sticky