adhesive

[ ad-hee-siv, -ziv ]

/ ædˈhi sɪv, -zɪv /

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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.

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Origin of adhesive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM adhesive

ad·he·sive·ly, adverbad·he·sive·ness, nounnon·ad·he·sive, adjectivenon·ad·he·sive·ly, adverb

non·ad·he·sive·ness, nounsem·i·ad·he·sive, adjectivesem·i·ad·he·sive·ly, adverbsem·i·ad·he·sive·ness, nounun·ad·he·sive, adjectiveun·ad·he·sive·ly, adverbun·ad·he·sive·ness, noun

Words nearby adhesive

adherend, adherent, adhering, adhesion, adhesiotomy, adhesive, adhesive absorbent dressing, adhesive bandage, adhesive binding, adhesive capsulitis, adhesive pericarditis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use adhesive in a sentence

To set up the MagicMount, you first attach its plastic base to your dash with a peel-back adhesive.
The Best Phone Mount for Your Car Costs $12|Jakob Schiller|September 20, 2020|Outside Online
You can also slip the magnet between your phone and phone case and forgo an adhesive.
The Best Phone Mount for Your Car Costs $12|Jakob Schiller|September 20, 2020|Outside Online
Be aware the adhesive backing will not adhere to textured surfaces.
Cork boards for organizing your home or office|PopSci Commerce Team|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
This plastic case is equipped with 100 first aid resources, including six antiseptic towelettes, 12 alcohol wipes, and 30 adhesive bandages.
The best first aid kits for staying safe and prepared|PopSci Commerce Team|September 4, 2020|Popular-Science

Worn like an adhesive bandage, this skin patch looks simple on the outside.
Sweat tech alerts athletes when to rehydrate — and with what|Silke Schmidt|May 21, 2020|Science News For Students
Then, the merkin is applied with an adhesive; Ledermann uses a matte substance by Telesis.
Hollywood's Most Private Accessory|Claire Howorth|September 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Have you ever seen 11 players with a relationship so adhesive to the ball?
Who Will Win the World Cup?|Tunku Varadarajan|July 10, 2010|DAILY BEAST
This work fascinates children, and as the stars are adhesive, it can be done in class with very little trouble.
The Story of the Thirteen Colonies|H. A. (Hlne Adeline) Guerber
In the case of a sprained ankle a properly applied adhesive strap bandage will give no end of relief and support.
The Mother and Her Child|William S. Sadler
The tape Mac used to insure his connection had an asbestos base, with adhesive gum insinuated into the tape.
Tight Squeeze|Dean Charles Ing
The side of the box showed that it had been made adhesive, for the sake of security, to another substance.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete|George Meredith
Virgil refers to it as a "glue more adhesive than bird-lime and the pitch of Phrygian Ida."
A Year in the Fields|John Burroughs

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

Medical definitions for adhesive

adhesive

[ ăd-hē′sĭv ]

adj.

Tending to adhere; sticky.

Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adhesion.

A substance that adheres to a surface or causes adherence between surfaces.

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.

adhesive

Origin of adhesive

OTHER WORDS FROM adhesive

Words nearby adhesive

Words related to adhesive

How to use adhesive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for adhesive

Derived forms of adhesive

Medical definitions for adhesive

Scientific definitions for adhesive