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

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

When you engage one of the many excellent rescue groups around the country, you will find there are clingy cats or aloof cats, energetic cats or lazy cats, stubborn cats or people pleasers.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2024

I thought about ringing Tara—I knew she’d come running—but I didn’t think I could stand it, she’d be all clingy and over protective.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

Related Words

• gummy
• sticky