INDEX:
1. to join one thing to another, especially using glue
2. when one thing sticks to another
3. something that will stick to something else
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ JOIN
↑ ATTACH
↑ FASTEN/UNFASTEN
↑ TIE/UNTIE
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1. to join one thing to another, especially using glue
▷ stick /stɪk/ [transitive verb]
to join one thing to another thing, especially by using glue or tape with glue on it :
stick something on/in something
▪ It took hours to stick all these photos in my album.
▪ She stuck her chewing gum on the bottom of the chair.
stick something to something
▪ Stick this note to Chris’s computer so he sees it when he gets back.
stick together
▪ Paul stuck two pieces of paper together.
stick something back together
▪ The vase broke into several pieces, but I was able to stick them all back together.
▷ stick down /ˌstɪk ˈdaʊn/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to fix something to a surface, using glue and pushing down on it :
stick something down
▪ The label’s coming off. Can you stick it down again?
stick down something
▪ Make sure you stick down the envelope properly, the contents are confidential.
▷ glue /gluː/ [transitive verb]
to use glue to join things together, when you are making something or repairing something :
glue something to/onto something
▪ I tried to glue the handle back onto the cup.
glue something (back) together
▪ You make the model by cutting out these shapes and gluing them together.
2. when one thing sticks to another
▷ stick /stɪk/ [intransitive verb]
if something sticks to something else, it becomes joined to it when it touches it, because it has glue or a sticky substance on it :
▪ She pressed down the flap of the envelope, but it didn’t stick.
stick to
▪ Peter was very hot, and his shirt was sticking to his back.
▷ stick together /ˌstɪk təˈgeðəʳ/ [intransitive phrasal verb]
if two or more things stick together, they stick to each other because they have a sticky substance on them :
▪ I spilled coffee on my book and some of the pages stuck together.
▪ The chocolates are covered with powdered sugar to keep them from sticking together.
▷ grip /grɪp/ [transitive verb]
to stick to something firmly and without slipping, by pushing against it - used especially about tyres or shoes :
▪ The car has wide tyres which grip the road really well.
grip [uncountable noun]
▪ If you’re going rock-climbing, make sure you wear shoes that will give you a good grip.
▷ adhere /ədˈhɪəʳ/ [intransitive verb] formal
to become stuck to a surface or to another object :
▪ Peeling paint must be scraped away so that new paint will adhere.
adhere to
▪ The machine is cleaned regularly to stop dirt adhering to the working parts.
▪ Edam cheeses have waxed coatings which adhere tightly to the cheese.
3. something that will stick to something else
▷ glue /gluː/ [countable/uncountable noun]
a liquid or soft substance that you use to stick things together :
▪ Wait for the glue to dry before you sit on it.
▷ sticky /ˈstɪki/ [adjective]
something that is sticky sticks to other things :
▪ Add flour to the mixture to prevent it from becoming sticky.
▪ She wrote the address on a sticky label and stuck it to her computer.
▷ adhesive /ədˈhiːsɪv/ [adjective usually before noun]
adhesive material or paper is covered with a sticky substance such as glue, that makes it stick to surfaces :
▪ The first aid box has adhesive dressings and antiseptic cream in it.
▪ He attached the paper to the wall with special adhesive tape.
self-adhesive
sticky on one side and able stick to something without glue or liquid
▪ self-adhesive envelopes