adhesive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "adhesive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that sticks to other surfaces or objects, often through glue, paste, or another binding material. For example, "This adhesive tape is great for sealing packages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In turbellarians two major types of mesenchymal glands occur: one produces a slimy material upon which the organisms creep; the other secretes an adhesive substance for capture of prey, for adhesion, and for cementing egg capsules to a suitable surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Speaking to Forbes this week, Agrawal said: Tampons were invented in 1931 and, aside from adhesive strips and wings on pads, there hasn't been any major innovation in 85 years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Essentially you have a piece of adhesive tape, and you press it continually over the surface and you remove any debris, including fibres, that may have transferred from the suspect or the victim.

The Guardian - Money

In a paper recently published in Langmuir, Dr Mian tested what happens when a vital chemical in mussel adhesive protein is exposed to wet silica, and calculated the amount of energy with which it binds the solid silica using a computer model.

The Economist

Glues designed with mussel adhesive protein in mind, therefore, would be particularly effective if they could maximise the number of catechols that could be exposed.

The Economist

Because of their shape, Polli-Bricks can lock together without any adhesive to form structures such as walls.

The Economist

To their delight, they discovered that sloths are endowed with an abdominal cavity that has a uniquely adhesive quality.

The Economist

In contrast, the type of bomb used against Mr Londoño, which is attached to the target with a magnet or adhesive, was favoured by ETA, the Basque separatist group in Spain.

The Economist

But at the deserted Mongolian embassy, I approached the counter and was greeted by a smiling assassin who took my passport and about £60 of my money, swivelled around in his chair, peeled an adhesive visa from a sticker-book, stuck it in my passport, and then handed it back to me with a smile.

The Economist

Using an adhesive patch developed by Proteus, she has experimented with measuring her heart rate, posture, motion and temperature and relating the data with her mood.

The Economist

Attempts continued into the 20th century, when Norwegian scientists tried applying a gelatine-based adhesive that shrank when it dried, peeling the scrolls' layers apart in the process.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the qualities of an adhesive, consider the specific properties such as its strength, flexibility, and resistance to temperature or moisture to provide a more precise understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "adhesive" as a blanket term for all sticking agents. Different adhesives have distinct properties. Specify the type (e.g., epoxy, acrylic, pressure-sensitive) to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The word "adhesive" functions primarily as an adjective, describing something that has the property of sticking or causing adhesion. It can also function as a noun, referring to the substance itself that provides adhesion. Ludwig examples illustrate both usages effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "adhesive" is a versatile term, functioning both as an adjective and a noun, primarily used to describe substances or materials that stick or cause adhesion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, from describing "adhesive tape" in news articles to detailing "adhesive properties" in scientific literature. While it's important to avoid overgeneralization and specify the type of adhesive for clarity, its widespread use makes it a very common and useful term. Related terms such as "glue", "bonding agent", and "sealant" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sticky substance

Replaces the general term "adhesive" with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing the substance's property.

glue-like material

Specifies "adhesive" as resembling glue, highlighting its bonding characteristics.

bonding agent

Focuses on the function of "adhesive" as a means of joining things together.

cementing compound

Emphasizes the role of "adhesive" in firmly uniting objects.

tacky coating

Describes "adhesive" as a surface layer that is slightly sticky to the touch.

pasting medium

Refers to "adhesive" as a substance used for adhering materials, especially paper or fabric.

sealant

Highlights the property of "adhesive" to close or secure something tightly.

fixative

Focuses on the "adhesive" ability to hold something in place.

glutinous mixture

Describes "adhesive" as a sticky, viscous compound.

binding glue

Emphasizes the function of "adhesive" as a glue used for binding objects.

FAQs

How is "adhesive" used in a sentence?

You can use "adhesive" to describe a substance that sticks things together, as in "This "adhesive tape" is very strong" or to describe the property of something being sticky, like "The frog has "adhesive toe pads"".

What's a good substitute for "adhesive"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "glue", "bonding agent", or "sealant" as alternatives to "adhesive".

Is it correct to use "adhesive" as a noun or an adjective?

"Adhesive" can be used both as a noun, referring to the substance itself (e.g., "apply the adhesive"), and as an adjective, describing something that sticks or promotes sticking (e.g., "adhesive tape").

What are some common types of adhesives?

Common types of adhesives include "epoxy", "acrylic", "pressure-sensitive adhesive", and "cyanoacrylate" (super glue), each with different properties and applications.