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adhesive

adhesive

3 3.5
Sticking to a surface so it stays in place
  • adjective
  • /ədˈhiːsɪv/
translation icon : adhesivo
  • For instance, the adhesive flap of an envelope does not stick to the treated protective strip of paper.
  • adhesive material

Examples

  • He applied a strong adhesive glue to ensure that the artwork would stay in place.

  • But it turns out that the adhesive around the edge just goes a bit gooey and it's a bit weird.

  • To enable this situation, processing staff placed an adhesive blue strip at the bottom of the spine of every print item in the collection.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Keep in mind that when you take lashes off the packaging, there is some adhesive holding them on.

  • But what if we could harness the adhesive power of biofilms for good?

    Blog text (34)
  • The more paint that pulls away, the weaker the adhesive force exerted by the paint nearby that is still sticking to the surface.

    Academic text (2003)
  • This is adhesive aluminum, and I can use it to give the PVC a protective metallic shell.

  • The adhesive tape quickly sticks to any surface, making it ideal for repairs.

  • These self-adhesive stickers are perfect for labeling jars in the kitchen.

Synonyms

sticky
vsadhesive
126 1.0

Covered with a substance that keeps it on other things

is the general property of clinging without mentioning residue
stick-on
vsadhesive
2 3.7

With glue on the back so you can press it onto something

is the general clinging property not the ready-coated item
glutinous
vsadhesive
2 7.7

Sticky like glue that easily sticks to things

is the general clinging tendency not focused on thick texture
adherent
vsadhesive
  • Specialized
1 6.6

Sticks firmly to a surface

is the general tendency to cling rather than firm permanent hold
gluey
vsadhesive
1 3.2

Thick and sticky so things stick together

is the neutral tendency to cling rather than thick paste quality
viscid
vsadhesive
1 9.9

Thick and sticky like glue or syrup

is the general clinging property not necessarily about thickness
stickery
vsadhesive
6.4

Having a surface that makes things stay on it

is the broader property of clinging not limited to surface coating
stickly
vsadhesive
8.4

Having a wet, glue like feel that makes things stay on it

is the general tendency to attach without implying a gummy feel
gluelike
vsadhesive
3.7

Very sticky and thick so things stick together

is the basic clinging tendency not a comparison to bonding materials

Antonyms

80 1.0

A surface that makes you slip or slide

Does not stick to skin or other surfaces

Compounds

A strip of sticky material used to hold things together

A small sticky strip with a soft pad that you put on the skin to cover small cuts

A sticky substance like glue that holds two surfaces together

A sticky paste you put on false teeth to keep them in place

A thing used to make two surfaces stick together, like glue or tape

A small sticky bandage that covers and protects minor cuts

adhesive friction
  • Specialized
7.1

A force that stops movement between two surfaces because they stick together

How Sticky

tenacious
1 6.3
adhesive
3 3.5
tacky
  • Specialized
4 4.9

Surface Forms

adhesive positive

Morphology

adhesive = adhere (transparent) = ad + hes + ive

The adjective form 'adhesive' is transparently derived from the verb 'adhere' with the suffix '-ive' indicating the property of adhering.

Etymology

Adhesive as an adjective comes from the same Latin parts ad- 'to' and haer- 'stick' and shares its root with adhere, which means 'to stick'. That's why when something is adhesive it tends to 'stick' to other things.