glue

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: any of various strong adhesive substances
especially : a hard protein chiefly gelatinous substance that absorbs water to form a viscous solution with strong adhesive properties and that is obtained by cooking down collagenous materials (such as hides or bones)
b
: a solution of glue used for sticking things together
2
: something that binds together
enough social glue … to satisfy the human desire for communityE. D. Hirsch, Jr.
gluey adjective
gluily adverb

glue

2 of 2

verb

glued; gluing also glueing

transitive verb

1
: to cause to stick tightly with or as if with glue
gluing the parts together
used that war to glue together a frail storyGloria Emerson
2
: to cause to remain continuously or to be fixed steadily
usually used with to
the spectators were glued to their seats
all eyes glued to the TV screen

Examples of glue in a Sentence

Noun The hardware store offers several different glues. used glue to stick the photo in the album Verb I glued the pieces of the cup back together.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The bones of knackered cattle in the glue that held his antique books together. Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024 Hot glue a mix of fresh, seasonal fruit—such as apples, oranges, or pomegranates—onto the wreath. Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
Elsewhere in the city, people were glued to their smartphones and televisions, anxiously watching the page turn on the surreal political moment. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024 These tapes are glued to your own hair from above and below using the sandwich technique. Anna Bader, Glamour, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glue 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English glu, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin glut-, glus; akin to Latin gluten glue — more at clay

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of glue was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near glue

Cite this Entry

“Glue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glue. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

glue

1 of 2 noun
: a substance used to stick things tightly together
gluey adjective

glue

2 of 2 verb
glued; gluing also glueing
: to stick with or as if with glue

More from Merriam-Webster on glue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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