Dictionary.com

adhesive

[ ad-hee-siv, -ziv ]
/ ædˈhi sɪv, -zɪv /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: adhesive / adhesives / adhesiveness on Thesaurus.com
adjective
coated with glue, paste, mastic, or other sticky substance: adhesive bandages.
sticking fast; sticky; clinging.
Physics. of or relating to the molecular force that exists in the area of contact between unlike bodies and that acts to unite them.
noun
a substance that causes something to adhere, as glue or rubber cement.
adhesive tape.
Philately. a postage stamp with a gummed back, as distinguished from one embossed or printed on an envelope or card.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of adhesive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM adhesive

Words nearby adhesive

adherence, adherend, adherent, adhering, adhesion, adhesive, adhesive bandage, adhesive binding, adhesive plaster, adhesive tape, adhibit
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to adhesive

gummy, sticky, adherent, holding, hugging, pasty, adhering, agglutinant, attaching, clinging, clingy, gelatinous, glutinous, gooey, gummed, mucilaginous, resinous, tenacious, viscid, viscous

How to use adhesive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for adhesive

adhesive
/ (ədˈhiːsɪv) /
adjective
able or designed to adhere; stickyadhesive tape
tenacious or clinging
noun
a substance used for sticking objects together, such as glue, cement, or paste

Derived forms of adhesive

adhesively, adverbadhesiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for adhesive

adhesive
[ ăd-hē′sĭv ]
Noun
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.
Adjective
Relating to adhesion.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK