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Synonyms

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.

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

"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

noun

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

"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
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.

  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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Fixing one used to mean installing new glass, rubber gaskets and adhesive.

From MarketWatch

He has more customers waiting, attracted by his sign promising repairs "with high professionalism and without adhesive tape".

From BBC

You can add metal, plastic or adhesive foam strips to fill any gaps.

From BBC

Safety and industrial sales increased 4.1%, as strong demand in electrical markets, adhesives and abrasives offset continued challenges in the vehicle aftermarket business.

From MarketWatch

The colorless gas is also used to make chemicals found in products such as antifreeze, detergents, plastics and adhesives.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.