glue

American  

[gloo] / glu /

noun

1. a hard, impure, protein gelatin, obtained by boiling skins, hoofs, and other animal substances in water, that when melted or diluted is a strong adhesive.

2. any of various solutions or preparations of this substance, used as an adhesive.

3. any of various other solutions or preparations that can be used as adhesives.

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verb (used with object)

glued, gluing

1. to join or fasten with glue.

   Synonyms:

   plaster, cement, stick, gum, paste

2. to cover or smear (something) with glue (sometimes followed byup ).

3. to fix or attach firmly with or as if with glue; make adhere closely.

   to glue a model ship together.

glue British  

/ ɡluː /

noun

1. any natural or synthetic adhesive, esp a sticky gelatinous substance prepared by boiling animal products such as bones, skin, and horns

2. any other sticky or adhesive substance

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verb

1. (tr) to join or stick together with or as if with glue

Other Word Forms

• gluelike
  adjective
• gluer
  noun
• gluey
  adjective
• reglue
  verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of glue

1300–50; (noun) Middle English glu, gleu < Old French glu < Latin glūt- (stem of glūs ); cognate with Greek gloiós gum, anything sticky; (v.) Middle English glywen, glewen, derivative of the noun

Explanation

Glue is a liquid adhesive, used to stick two items together. A little kid may use Elmer's glue to decorate an art project, and you may use Krazy Glue to repair a mug's broken handle. Whatever the case, you hope the glue sticks. Most glue comes in a squeeze bottle and is used in small drips and lines to paste one material to another, but some glue comes in solid sticks that aren't as messy. When you stick one thing to another with glue, you glue it. The Old French source of glue is glu, from the Latin gluten, which means both "glue" and "beeswax."

Example Sentences

Once recognition is in place—whether through promotions, symbolic awards or even team bonuses—leaders send a message: Glue isn’t invisible anymore.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

Chances are, you are living in the climate equivalent of one of those popsicle-stick houses held together by Elmer’s Glue and adolescent exuberance.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025

“Found a way to use cotton and Super Glue in a way that provides a layer for that not to get cut, as well,” Scherzer said Sunday.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 29, 2023

Glue, not stitches, was used to close the wound.

From Washington Times • Jul. 28, 2023

Glue a few flies to the other end of the straw, a fly lollipop.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

• cement
• paste
• plaster