adhesive

1 of 2

adjective

ad·​he·​sive ad-ˈhē-siv How to pronounce adhesive (audio) -ziv How to pronounce adhesive (audio)
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

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
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.
Adjective
In simplest terms, pimple patches are tiny, adhesive stickers made to tackle acne one blemish at a time. Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2024 And the sensor adhesive on my unit also left a bad skin rash on my chest. Scott Kramer, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
The adhesives are strong enough to hold up to 40 pounds of weight—no drilling required. Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2024 Heavier items may need to be glued on with a hot glue gun or stronger adhesive. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for adhesive 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of adhesive was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near adhesive

Cite this Entry

“Adhesive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adhesive. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

adhesive

1 of 2 adjective
ad·​he·​sive ad-ˈhē-siv How to pronounce adhesive (audio)
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 How to pronounce adhesive (audio) -ziv How to pronounce adhesive (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on adhesive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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