clingy

[kling-ee]

adjective

clingier, clingiest 

1. apt to cling; adhesive or tenacious.

   a clingy fabric.

Other Word Forms

• clinginess noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clingy¹

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

Example Sentences

By contrast, when the chatbot acted too clingy—“metaphorically grabbing your arm and saying, ‘No, you can’t leave,’ ” as De Freitas puts it—users bristled, staying only briefly before signing off.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She just didn’t put up with B.S. from guys who were trying to diminish her, call her irrational and insinuate she was clingy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“She was always a pack dog, and had to be with people, and with Arthur. But she has been so clingy, and gets so upset to be left alone.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The costumes are, on the surface, contemporary: We see an Adidas sweatshirt here, a clingy party dress there.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Charles says there is a "stark difference" between their sons and that Emaan is a lot more clingy.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• gummy 
• sticky 

When To Use

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