sticky

[stik-ee]

adjective

stickier, stickiest 

1. having the property of adhering, as glue; adhesive.

2. covered with adhesive or viscid matter.

   sticky hands.

3. (of the weather or climate) hot and humid.

   It was an unbearably sticky day.

   Synonyms: steamy, damp, sultry, muggy

4. requiring careful treatment; awkwardly difficult.

   a rather sticky diplomatic problem; Breaking the news is going to be sticky.

5. Informal.,  unpleasant; unfortunate; nasty.

   The villain of the story meets a sticky end.

noun

plural

stickies 

1. one of a number of small sheets of paper on a pad, each having an adhesive backing that allows it to be positioned and repositioned on smooth surfaces.

sticky

/ ˈstɪkɪ /

adjective

1. covered or daubed with an adhesive or viscous substance

   sticky fingers

2. having the property of sticking to a surface

3. (of weather or atmosphere) warm and humid; muggy

4. (of prices) tending not to fall in deflationary conditions

5. informal,  difficult, awkward, or painful

   a sticky business

6. informal,  sentimental

7. (of a website) encouraging users to visit repeatedly

verb

1. informal,  (tr) to make sticky

noun

1. short for stickybeak

2. an inquisitive look or stare (esp in the phrase have a sticky at )

Other Word Forms

• stickily adverb
• stickiness noun
• nonsticky adjective
• unsticky adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sticky¹

1720–30; 1910–15 sticky for def. 4; stick ² + -y ¹

Example Sentences

The Bank of Mexico cut its benchmark rate by 25 basis points earlier this month but sounded cautious about further easing, pointing to sticky core inflation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Organizers had warned those coming that the talks could get sticky.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

These officials said further rate cuts could add to the risk of higher inflation becoming sticky and would be misinterpreted as implying a lack of the Fed’s commitment to its 2% inflation target.

Read more on MarketWatch

This sticky, elongated tongue can strike prey located at more than double the chameleon's own body length.

Read more on Science Daily

Their limbs swing loosely, their smiling faces sticky with sweat.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• awkward 
• delicate 
• heavy 
• knotty 
• rough 
• thorny 
• tricky