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to adhere

to adhere

17 5.2
To stick firmly to a surface such as glass or plastic
  • verb
  • /ədˈhɪr/
translation icon : adherirse a
  • When using the adhesive, make sure it will adhere properly to the surface.
  • adhere strictly
  • adhere to a surface
  • adhere to the skin

And so I'll set my iron and I will start to adhere this film down.

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Examples

  • But these here are what come out and adhere to the wall.

  • Air bubbles pass through the solution and adhere to the HIPS, carrying the HIPS to the surface.

    Academic text (2000)
  • And also it really helps adhere foundation to the skin.

  • And how do you adhere the pieces together, may I ask?

  • The entire unit was designed to adhere to the arm of a human.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • And so I'll set my iron and I will start to adhere this film down.

  • It allows your foundation to adhere really strongly.

  • I find that it really helps adhere your shadows to your eyelids.

  • The dust adheres to his body making him visible.

  • In an initial test of the electrode, it adhered to a smooth, dry surface for more than one hour.

    Academic text (2001)

Synonyms

to stick
vsto adhere
769 1.0

To attach something to a surface or push it into with a point

emphasises firm surface contact, not puncturing or pushing in
to attach
vsto adhere
459 2.5

To join or fasten one thing to another so they stay together

is narrower, focusing specifically on firm surface contact rather than any join
to cling
vsto adhere
240 2.1

To hold on tightly to someone or something and not let go

is limited to firm physical joining to a surface rather than emotional closeness
to bind
vsto adhere
  • Specialized
131 3.9

To join two things closely so they stay together

is mainly physical surface joining rather than wider technical linking
to cling to
vsto adhere
111 3.3

To hold tightly to something or keep believing something strongly in hard times

describes firm physical surface joining rather than persevering belief or feeling
to glue
vsto adhere
50 1.8

To make someone stay in one place or keep their attention on something

focuses on natural firm contact rather than using an adhesive image
to stick to
vsto adhere
41 1.8

Stay attached to a surface

is about firm joining to a surface rather than general connection
to stick on
vsto adhere
25 2.7

Put something on a surface so it stays in place

is the basic idea of firm surface adherence without focusing on method
to bond
vsto adhere
25 3.2

To stick two things together so they hold firmly

is the simpler idea of firm surface joining rather than a stronger connection
to affix
vsto adhere
18 5.0

To attach something to another thing by sticking or fastening it

is the plain physical act of firm surface joining rather than formality
to hold fast
vsto adhere
11 5.5

To stay firmly attached to something or keep believing strongly in an idea

is the basic physical notion of firm surface joining rather than long commitment
to cleave
vsto adhere
  • Literature
7 7.5

To stay very close to someone or something, often for support

is about physical firm surface contact rather than loyalty or faithfulness
to cohere
vsto adhere
3 6.2

To stick together to form one unit, like parts of a machine or ideas in a plan

is about direct firm surface contact rather than overall unity or fit
to latch on
vsto adhere
3.8

To hold on to something so it stays attached

is the steady physical idea of firm surface joining rather than sudden grasping

Antonyms

16 3.9

To take something off from what it is connected to

15 2.8

Make soil less hard so roots can grow

Phrasal Verbs

79 3.9

To follow rules or instructions

How Strong

to fuse
44 3.9
to bond
25 3.2
to adhere
17 5.2
to cling
240 2.1
to stick
769 1.0

Surface Forms

adhere infinitive
adhered past
adhered past participle
adhering present participle
adheres third person singular

Etymology

Adhere comes from the Latin parts ad- 'to' and haerēre 'to stick', and it shares the same root as adhesive. So, to adhere is to 'stick firmly' to a surface.