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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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

The mechanism works by moving an adhesive coated belt around the outside of the cell, pulling the bacterium forward in a motion that resembles a microscopic snowmobile.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 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

Teri also created a faux window pane using adhesive vinyl.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

As soon as they were clear, Malcolm pulled off the rusty wire and wrapped the roll of adhesive tape as tightly as he could around the paddle.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

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.