clammy

American  

[klam-ee] / ˈklæm i /

adjective

clammier, clammiest

1. covered with a cold, sticky moisture; cold and damp.

   clammy hands.

2. sickly; morbid.

   She had a clammy feeling that something was wrong at home.

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clammy British  

/ ˈklæmɪ /

adjective

1. unpleasantly sticky; moist

   clammy hands

2. (of the weather, atmosphere, etc) close; humid

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Other Word Forms

• clammily adverb
• clamminess noun

Etymology

Origin of clammy

1350–1400; Middle English, equivalent to Middle English clam sticky, cold and damp + -y -y ¹

Example Sentences

My hands are a bit clammy too, which is gross.

From Literature

The film’s claustrophobic framing, paired with a locked-down camera, quickly creates a clammy unease.

From Los Angeles Times

And then we started at the switchboard, waiting, my hands clammy and shaking.

From Literature

“Yeah, but…” My hands get clammy as I reach for my phone.

From Literature

She felt clammy, and her breathing was shallow.

From Literature