gummy

American  

[guhm-ee] / ˈgʌm i /

adjective

gummier, gummiest

1. of, resembling, or of the consistency of gum; viscid; mucilaginous.

2. covered with or clogged by gum or sticky matter.

3. exuding gum.

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gummy ¹ British  

/ ˈɡʌmɪ /

adjective

1. sticky or tacky

2. consisting of, coated with, or clogged by gum or a similar substance

3. producing gum

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gummy ² British  

/ ˈɡʌmɪ /

adjective

1. toothless; not showing one's teeth

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noun

1. a small crustacean-eating shark, Mustelus antarcticus, with bony ridges resembling gums in its mouth

2. an old ewe that has lost its incisor teeth

Other Word Forms

• gummily adverb
• gumminess noun

Etymology

Origin of gummy

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; gum ¹, -y ¹

Explanation

Something that's gummy is soft and very sticky. Think of gummy bears, the candy, and you'll get the idea. Nothing is more gummy than actual gum, especially when it's been chewed and dropped on the sidewalk and then stepped on. Glue is gummy too, and once you've chewed them a little bit, so are Gummy Bears candy. Gummy comes from the noun gum, with its Greek root word, kommi, "gum" or "resin."

Example Sentences

In sugar confection, products like gummy clusters have gained traction, while in salty snacks, better-for-you ingredients are fueling growth.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Should soy milk be in the same category as gummy bears or soda, simply because it’s made with an emulsifier?

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

She also raises the point that a sleep aid in the form of a chocolate, gummy, bar or drink may cause some people to avoid looking at what's actually causing their sleep issues.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

The answer apparently includes $530 in gummy bears.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

I’m honestly impressed with how many fruits Jared S. can name, since he eats all of his in gummy form.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri