clingy

American  

[kling-ee] / ˈklɪŋ i /

adjective

clingier, clingiest

1. apt to cling; adhesive or tenacious.

   a clingy fabric.

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Usage

What does clingy mean? A person who is overly attached to or emotionally dependent on another person can be described as clingy. What are some other words related to clingy?

• needy
• high-maintenance
• controlling
• jealous

Other Word Forms

• clinginess
  noun

Etymology

Origin of clingy

First recorded in 1700–10; cling ¹ + -y ¹

Explanation

Someone who's clingy needs a lot of attention or emotional support. Your clingy friend gets very upset when you hang out with your other pals and don't invite him. There are several ways to be clingy, including being emotionally demanding or possessive, like a clingy boyfriend. A clingy child might even physically cling to her parent's leg, wanting to be as close as possible. The emotional meaning of clingy comes from the image of a vine twined around a fencepost, clinging to it. Literally clingy things are sticky or adhesive, like a long, clingy skirt that sticks to your legs.

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Brittany Wicker says yes to Devonta Anderson soon after they begin dating, but when he discovers she said yes to her wedding dress before they met, he finds that scary and clingy.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

People are getting clingy with their chatbots—and it’s giving friends and family pause.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

In the middle are two young society beauties wearing the new clingy fashions with uncaricatured style, but amongst the mixed-sex groups that mill around them are gratuitously padded older women.

From Slate • Jul. 21, 2025

But ever since, she has been unusually clingy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2025

Shanti shook the clingy mud from her hands.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Related Words

• gummy
• sticky