Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
slightly adhesive
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "slightly adhesive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a surface or material that has a small amount of stickiness or tackiness. Example: "The tape is slightly adhesive, making it easy to reposition without leaving a residue."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(19)
somewhat tacky
a little bit sticky
little bit sticky
little bit difficult
a little crass
somewhat inappropriate
mildly offensive
a little clumsy
a little rude
somewhat challenging
slightly problematic
a tad complex
not entirely straightforward
presents some challenges
not a walk in the park
requires some effort
demands careful consideration
little bit delicate
little bit tough
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Dishes arrive on wooden boards with a slightly adhesive waxy surface, so that artful presentations don't slide around.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Starting with a design for another method of fastening and modifying it slightly for adhesive bonding is risky, often leading to undesirable results.
The legs are stabilized with cushions around the legs and slightly strapped with adhesive tape distally.
Science
Furthermore, it can be hypothesized that surface modifications with fibronectin and human plasma might slightly impair the adhesive properties of β-TCP and BS by saturation of binding sites or neutralization of its surface charge.
By contrast, for NL3A2 presence of the AS6+ insertion in NRX1alpha resulted in slightly increased adhesion and isoforms containing AS6 but lacking AS3 showed the strongest adhesive interactions.
Science
The failure strains and absorbed energies for the brittle adhesive were slightly dependent on the strain rate, but this dependency was unclear for the ductile adhesive.
In the present study, the treatment with CPP-ACP and the use of light-cure adhesive showed slightly inferior results as compared to the control group, but this difference was non-significant.
Science
Although onto eroded dentin surfaces the self-etch adhesive performed slightly better, the bond strength was clearly reduced after 1-year water storage for both adhesives.
Science
Let the adhesive set slightly.
Wiki
At the higher contact pressures the wear mechanism changed from adhesive wear to slightly abrasive wear after nitrogen/carbon implantation, eliminating the cold welding between a stainless steel ball and the untreated sample completely.
Compared to the contamination, a fracture pattern shifted slightly in the direction of adhesive failure becomes clear.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing materials or surfaces, use "slightly adhesive" to indicate a mild level of stickiness, ensuring the context clarifies the expected function or behavior of this property.
Common error
Avoid using "slightly adhesive" when the material is intended to have strong adhesion. Choose a more appropriate descriptor like "strongly adhesive" or "highly adherent" to accurately reflect the material's properties.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "slightly adhesive" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. According to Ludwig, it is correctly used to describe a surface or material possessing a small degree of stickiness or tackiness. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing materials like tape or specialized boards.
Frequent in
Science
45%
News & Media
35%
Wiki
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "slightly adhesive" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe a mild level of stickiness. Ludwig indicates that its application is appropriate for accurately detailing material properties across varied sources, particularly those in science, news, and wiki contexts. Although not very frequent, the phrase serves to convey precise information about adhesion levels, assisting in clear and technically accurate descriptions. The provided examples in Ludwig further highlight its practical usage, reinforcing its role as a useful descriptor.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
mildly sticky
Replaces "adhesive" with "sticky" and "slightly" with "mildly" to convey the same meaning.
weakly adhesive
Directly modifies "adhesive" with "weakly".
somewhat tacky
Uses "tacky" instead of "adhesive" and "somewhat" instead of "slightly".
lightly adherent
Substitutes "adhesive" with "adherent" and "slightly" with "lightly".
barely clinging
Emphasizes the weak clinging aspect of the adhesion.
slightly clinging
Focuses on the 'clinging' aspect of the adhesion
having a slight tack
Rephrases the concept to focus on the "tack" of the material.
not very sticky
Expresses the idea by negating strong stickiness.
with minimal adhesion
Focuses on the minimal degree of adhesion.
possessing a hint of stickiness
Uses more descriptive language to convey the subtle stickiness.
FAQs
How can I use "slightly adhesive" in a sentence?
You can use "slightly adhesive" to describe a surface or material with a mild level of stickiness. For example, "The tape is slightly adhesive, making it easy to reposition."
What are some alternatives to saying "slightly adhesive"?
Alternatives include "mildly sticky", "somewhat tacky", or "lightly adherent", depending on the specific context.
Is it correct to say "a little adhesive" instead of "slightly adhesive"?
Yes, "a little adhesive" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "slightly adhesive". However, "slightly adhesive" is more formal and precise.
When should I use "slightly adhesive" versus "very adhesive"?
Use "slightly adhesive" when the material has a minimal amount of stickiness. Use "very adhesive" when the material has a strong, noticeable level of stickiness.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested