sticky

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sticky" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is covered in a sticky substance, or that is difficult to separate or remove. For example: "The gum in my hair was so sticky, it took me ages to untangle it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

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

They appear everywhere – in repeated patterns across cityscapes, on buildings, on everything from to sticky buns to boxes of plasters.

The Guardian - Music

Serve with sticky rice and Indian mango chutney.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She describes how, armed with times-three magnification spectacles, a magnifying glass and a nit comb, she scraped "black specks" from her hair and face on to sticky labels and took them to a dermatologist.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Natalie Tamara, via GuardianWitness Makes 20 200g medjool dates 50g oats, plus an extra handful to coat 1 tbsp cashew nut butter 1 Put the dates, oats and cashew nut butter in a food processor and blend until they have formed a smooth, sticky paste.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

House parties, gigs at the Boardwalk, shouty music, jumping along to Reel Big Fish, Arctic Monkeys – "My sister knows them" – and the sticky, oozing floor of Corp where we'd make eyes at each other in goth makeup and drink Red Bull.

The Guardian - Music

Instead of stirring the rice to release its creamy starch, as one would with risotto, the grains are left alone, so "the rice retains its 'soul', its inner shape", but, "by boiling it in the right quantity of stock or water it will absorb all the liquid as it cools down gently, and by the time it is completely cold it will be very sticky".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sadly, Swino (as he became known) met a sticky end under a truck three weeks later.

The Guardian

They would be followed by a duck coconut curry on sticky rice with bucket-loads of fresh mint, coriander, spring onions and crispy shallots scattered on top.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Silver Spoon's long grain is appreciably less sticky, and thus drier and harder to work with.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He also does seriously good sticky buns and maple-syrup-and-bacon scones, plus excellent coffee.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather, use "sticky" to vividly convey the feeling of humid, uncomfortable conditions. For example, "The air was thick and sticky with humidity."

Common error

Avoid using "sticky" informally in professional or academic writing when describing complex or sensitive situations. Instead, opt for terms like "challenging", "difficult", or "problematic" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "sticky" primarily functions as an adjective, describing the physical property of being adhesive or the figurative property of being difficult or problematic. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a versatile adjective, appearing in contexts ranging from describing textures to complex situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

30%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sticky" is a versatile adjective, as confirmed by Ludwig, commonly used to describe both physical and abstract qualities. It is primarily used in neutral contexts, as demonstrated by its frequent appearance in news, lifestyle, and travel-related content. While grammatically correct and widely understood, more formal terms might be preferable in academic or professional settings. Its communicative purpose is to describe the adhesive nature of substances or the difficult nature of situations, adding depth and nuance to descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhesive

Focuses on the property of being able to stick or adhere to a surface.

tacky

Highlights the slightly adhesive quality of a surface, often implying a residue.

viscous

Emphasizes the thick, gluey consistency that causes things to stick together.

glutinous

Describes a substance that is glue-like and sticky, especially related to food.

clingy

Refers to something that adheres closely, either physically or emotionally.

tenacious

Highlights the quality of holding firmly; also relates to persistence in a difficult situation.

troublesome

Focuses on the difficult or awkward nature of a situation.

awkward

Emphasizes the uncomfortable or problematic aspect of a situation.

gummy

Implies a soft, sticky, and often chewy texture.

adhesive quality

Describes something that tends to unite or bond.

FAQs

How can I use "sticky" in a sentence?

You can use "sticky" to describe a substance that adheres easily, such as "This honey is very sticky". It can also describe a difficult situation, like "He found himself in a sticky situation".

What are some synonyms for "sticky"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "adhesive", "tacky", "viscous", or "troublesome".

Is it appropriate to describe a problem as "sticky" in formal writing?

While "sticky" is acceptable in informal contexts, in formal writing it's better to use more precise terms like "complex", "challenging", or "difficult" to maintain a professional tone.

What does it mean when someone describes a situation as "sticky"?

It usually implies that the situation is complicated, unpleasant, and potentially "awkward" or hard to resolve. It suggests a situation that one would prefer to avoid.