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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.
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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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-hēsĭv ]

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.
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