sticker

American  

[stik-er] / ˈstɪk ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that sticks. stick.

2. an adhesive label.

3. Informal. sticker price.

4. something, as a problem or riddle, that puzzles or nonpluses one.

5. Slang. a knife, especially one used as a weapon by a criminal.

6. a worker who kills animals in a slaughterhouse by piercing the jugular vein with a pointed instrument.

7. a bur, thorn, or the like.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the sticker price of an automobile.

   Customers are experiencing sticker shock at the high price of new cars.

verb (used with object)

1. to place a sticker on.

sticker British  

/ ˈstɪkə /

noun

1. an adhesive label, poster, or paper

2. a person or thing that sticks

3. a persevering or industrious person

4. something prickly, such as a thorn, that clings to one's clothing, etc

5. informal something that perplexes

6. informal a knife used for stabbing or piercing

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Etymology

Origin of sticker

First recorded in 1575–85; stick ² + -er ¹

Explanation

A sticker is a label or a decoration with a sticky back, so it can be pasted anywhere. If you're a big fan of superheroes, you might cover your notebooks with Wonder Woman stickers. Sticker usually refers to the kitten stickers your brother sticks on his bedroom windows or the adhesive labels that you peel off your banana. Some plants also have stickers (also known as burrs, prickles, or thorns) — the kind that get stuck in your sweater after a walk in the woods. The term sticker price means the listed price for a car or some other item offered for sale.

Example Sentences

If these aristocrats fall out of favor, look past accounting measures and consider paying what still looks like a high sticker price for that pedigree.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

In a city filled with excitement about hosting the 2028 games, the dream has collided with sticker shock as tickets finally went on sale.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

“You don’t want sticker shock a year from now,” he says.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

The Union Station Chevron is one of several in L.A. known for fuel sticker shock.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Mr. Clifton gave me a gold star sticker.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Related Words

• amount
• bill
• cost
• demand
• discount
• estimate
• expenditure
• expense
• fare
• fee
• figure
• output
• pay
• payment
• premium
• rate
• return
• tariff
• valuation
• worth