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; see origin at 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

But comparing soy milk and gummy bears is complicated.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

Flavours ranging from gummy bears to lemonade fill the shelves.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

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

The Grateful Dead’s commitment to loose improvisation, to stretching songs out until they became gummy and supple, helped set it apart from more traditional rock groups.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

Hana and Hadia snicker as they head to the gummy bear packs and bubble gum at two and four, respectively.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali