stickiness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stickiness" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun used to describe the quality of being sticky (having the property of adhering to surfaces). Example sentence: The stickiness of the gum made it difficult to remove from the bottom of my shoe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For something truly backless with sticky wings (that don't lose stickiness after one wearing) try Fashions Forms Go Bare Backless Strapless Bra.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One bride found a great strapless bra with not quite enough stickiness, so she covered every last millimetre of the inside of the cups in tit tape (double-sided tape for the body) as insurance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To increase "stickiness", web designers pared their HTML code to the bone, collated their style-sheet data and JavaScripts into single files for more efficient caching elsewhere on the web, used fewer graphics and embraced the PNG and JPEG picture formats, with their smaller file sizes, as soon as they became available.

The Economist

And the stickiness is not just between one sector and another.

The Economist

Don't blame stickiness on the van der Waals force, they say: blame it on the bubbles.Physicists already knew that the microscopic roughness of a surface is crucial for stickiness the more bumps on a surface, the fewer points of contact it has with another one and the less sticky it is.

The Economist

The answers bandied about included "building communities", "ensuring stickiness", "B2C", "B2B" and many others.

The Economist

Some of this makes sense—schools and hospitals help fulfil Jesus's mandate while promoting customer stickiness.

The Economist

The stickiness of these jabs suggests that Mr Perry's executive order is indicative of a broader complaint against the candidate.

The Economist

Some day, further advances in the understanding of stickiness might even lead to an easier way to get that gum off your shoe.

The Economist

(Understanding stickiness is obviously important in the chemical industry, which needs to ensure that adhesives are sticky, but that paints are not).

The Economist

"It took me aback," says Harlan Spector, a medical reporter and one of the negotiators.Like many long-standing economic relationships, "wage stickiness" is being tested by the savagery of the recession.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a product's appeal, consider using "stickiness" to convey how it retains user engagement over time. For example, a game with high "stickiness" keeps players coming back for more.

Common error

Avoid using "stickiness" when you mean simplicity or ease of use. "Stickiness" refers to the ability to retain attention or adherence, not necessarily how easy something is to use. A complex product can have high "stickiness" if it is engaging enough.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stickiness" is as a noun. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes the quality or state of being sticky. This can refer to physical adhesion or, metaphorically, to the tendency to remain constant or retain users.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stickiness" is a versatile noun with both literal and metaphorical applications. It describes the physical property of adhesion, as well as the tendency to remain constant in economics or to retain users in marketing. As noted by Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically sound and frequently used. While appropriate in various contexts, from news to scientific writing, choosing a more precise term is recommended when possible to avoid ambiguity. Understanding its nuances, as well as its related phrases such as "adhesiveness" and "tenacity", allows for more effective communication. Avoid confusing "stickiness" with simplicity, as it refers to retention and adherence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhesiveness

Focuses specifically on the ability to adhere or stick to something.

adhesion

Describes the action or process of adhering to a surface or object.

adherence

Similar to adhesion, but can also describe loyalty or commitment which metaphorically relates to the concept of sticking with something.

tackiness

Implies a slightly negative connotation of being sticky or gummy.

viscosity

Refers to the thickness and resistance to flow in liquids; related to internal friction and therefore stickiness.

glutinousness

Describes a sticky, glue-like quality, especially in food.

bonding

Highlights the act of joining or uniting strongly, suggesting a form of "stickiness".

tenacity

Focuses on the quality of holding firmly; can be used metaphorically to describe "stickiness" in non-physical contexts.

cohesiveness

Emphasizes the quality of being united and forming a connected whole, akin to elements "sticking" together.

clinginess

Often used to describe an overemotional or dependent attachment, which can be viewed as a form of "stickiness" in relationships.

FAQs

How can I describe "stickiness" in the context of website design?

In website design, "stickiness" refers to the website's ability to keep visitors engaged and returning. You might measure "user engagement" by time spent on site, pages visited, or return visits.

What are some synonyms for "stickiness" when describing a product's appeal?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "retention", "engagement", or "loyalty" to convey a similar meaning to "stickiness".

How is "stickiness" used in economics?

In economics, "stickiness" often refers to the resistance of prices or wages to change in response to market fluctuations. This concept is related to "price rigidity" and "wage inflexibility".

Is it appropriate to use "stickiness" in formal writing?

Yes, "stickiness" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing marketing, economics, or material science. However, consider your audience and choose a more precise term like "adhesion" or "viscosity" if applicable for scientific contexts.