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.

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noun

adhesives plural

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

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noun

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

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.

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1. Relating to adhesion.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• adhesiveness
  noun
• nonadhesiveness
  noun
• semiadhesiveness
  noun
• unadhesiveness
  noun
• nonadhesive
  adjective
• semiadhesive
  adjective
• unadhesive
  adjective
• adhesively
  adverb
• nonadhesively
  adverb
• semiadhesively
  adverb
• unadhesively
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• adhesives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of adhesive

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

Explanation

An adhesive is something sticky that holds things together. Use an adhesive to repair a cracked plate. Adhesive comes from the Latin adhaerere, meaning "stick to," which is precisely what something adhesive does — it sticks to things. An adhesive bonds surfaces together. It's the sticky side on a roll of duct tape that causes it to be so effective. The word can be used to describe both the substance itself: to use an adhesive, for example — or its property of stickiness: an adhesive bandage sticks to the skin.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adhesive adhesives

The system relies on a non destructive, controlled release adhesive that attaches without requiring built in mounting hardware.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

But Hong Kong-based startup PointFit offers a less intrusive alternative using an adhesive patch, whose tiny sensor reads levels of biomarkers like glucose and cortisol from the sweat on users' skin.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

Fry remembered a talk he had attended about Silver’s light adhesive.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026

The technique involves attaching an original sketch to an adhesive backing, cutting it out, strategically sprinkling sand on the desired areas, then removing any misplaced grains one by one.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2026

I remember looking at the adhesive pad on the windshield where the mirror should have been, and shaking my head like my father was clueless.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

He said adhesives and other raw materials used in making shoes had fuelled the fire.

From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026

The French manufacturer of adhesives has had a good first four months of the year, shaking off a multi-year losing streak, Bray says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 20, 2026

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 ● Oct. 21, 2025

"Technologies such as 3D-printed wigs and digital colour-matching tools offer highly personalised options. Lightweight, breathable wig caps and improved adhesives have given customers to wear it for long time without discomfort," says Ms Tiwari.

From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2025

An English paper states that the current adhesives of France have been surcharged "Poste Française," for use of French offices in Madagascar.

From Harper's Round Table, May 21, 1895 by Various

Related Words

• gummy
• sticky