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 traditional design has a timeless appeal, while the slip-resistant backing keeps them in place without needing adhesive or nails. Find it on AmazonFind it on Walmart These Wood Panels Are Such a Stylish Touch Wood panels add a decorative touch to the home and provide extra insulation. —Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024

The secret sauce lies in a specialized fluid that, when shot from a needle-like device, instantly solidifies into a strong, adhesive fiber. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2024

Noun

The adhesives used in this type of furniture can contain formaldehyde, which goes through a process called off-gassing, where the chemical is released into the air over time. —Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 9 Dec. 2024

Scientists already knew that Neanderthals made adhesives using other materials like ocher and naturally sticky substances to haft stone tips onto wooden shafts to create weapons. —Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024

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