adhesive

1 of 2

adjective

ad·​he·​sive ad-ˈhē-siv  -ziv 

əd-

1

: tending to remain in association or memory

2

: tending to adhere or cause adherence

3

: prepared for adhering

4

medical : characterized by the formation of new fibrous tissue resulting from an inflammatory process

adhesive inflammations

adhesively adverb

adhesiveness noun

adhesive

2 of 2

noun

1

: an adhesive substance (such as glue or cement)

2

: a postage stamp with a gummed back

Synonyms

Adjective

• adherent
• clingy
• gluey
• glutinous
• gummy
• sticky
• tacky
• tenacious
• viscid

Noun

• bond
• cement
• glue
• size

Examples of adhesive in a Sentence

Adjective

Cover the cut with an adhesive bandage.

walked barefoot through adhesive, clayey mud

Noun

You'll need a strong adhesive to attach the boards.

prefers postage stamps coated with adhesive so that she doesn't have to do any licking

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The uneven lengths in each cluster create a natural-looking, feathery flutter, while applying under the lash line ensures the adhesive bands stay nice and invisible. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 26 Jan. 2025

That price includes the quad receiver, power supply, hardware kit, two ¼ wave antennas, two BNC cables, two rack mount brackets, two BNC Bulkhead adapters, an ethernet cable, plus adhesive feet. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Noun

Naphthalene and methylene chloride, present in plastic, adhesives and other household materials, can also contaminate drinking water and disperse easily into the air. —Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Testers say the adhesive is strong enough to withstand sweat, humidity, and even surprise rainstorms. —Jamie Ballard, Allure, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin adhaesīvus, from Latin adhaesus (past participle of adhaerēre "to adhere") + -īvus -ive

Noun

derivative of adhesive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing adhesive

• adhesive binding
• adhesive tape
• self-adhesive

Kids Definition

adhesive

1 of 2 adjective

ad·​he·​sive ad-ˈhē-siv 

əd-,

-ziv

: tending to adhere : prepared for adhering

adhesiveness noun

adhesive

2 of 2 noun

: an adhesive substance (as glue or cement)

Medical Definition

adhesive

1 of 2 adjective

ad·​he·​sive -ˈhē-siv  -ziv 

1

a

: tending to adhere or cause adherence

adhesive resins

b

: prepared for adhering

an adhesive bandage

2

: characterized by adhesions

adhesive inflammation

adhesively adverb

adhesive

2 of 2 noun

1

: an adhesive substance

especially : a substance (as glue, starch, paste, or mucilage) that bonds two materials together by adhering to the surface of each

2

: adhesive tape