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to glue

to glue

50 1.8
To make someone stay in one place or keep their attention on something
  • verb
  • /ɡlu/
translation icon : pegar
  • The boy squints his eyes and almost glues them to his desk while reading.
  • eyes glued
  • glued to the screen

I'm just trying to glue down this ball like of a wig.

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Examples

Synonyms

to tie
vsto glue
923 1.0

To fasten things together by making a knot with string or rope

uses a general fastening idea rather than joining by knot or rope
to stick
vsto glue
769 1.0

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

uses a broader idea of making things firmly fixed or focused
to attach
vsto glue
459 2.5

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

focuses more on making things firmly immovable or tightly focused together
to secure
vsto glue
347 3.3

To fasten firmly so it cannot move or be taken

is similar but also suggests causing strong, immovable focus or attachment
to fix
vsto glue
218 1.0

To attach something firmly so it does not move

adds the sense of making attachment immovable or strongly focused
to bind
vsto glue
  • Specialized
131 3.9

To join two things closely so they stay together

is the everyday act of firmly fixing or making something immovably attached
to fasten
vsto glue
68 1.6

Hold something in place so it cannot move

includes that securing but also the idea of immovable attachment or focus
to clamp
vsto glue
47 3.3

Fasten something tightly to keep it from moving

describes the same goal but without needing a special tool
to stick to
vsto glue
41 1.8

Stay attached to a surface

expresses the same adhesion but with emphasis on immovable attachment or focus
to cement
vsto glue
38 4.4

To make a relationship or agreement strong and lasting

is mainly the physical act of making things firmly attached literal or figurative
to stick on
vsto glue
25 2.7

Put something on a surface so it stays in place

is the more general act of making things firmly attached or focused
to bond
vsto glue
25 3.2

To stick two things together so they hold firmly

is the general action of fastening or making something immovably attached
to affix
vsto glue
18 5.0

To attach something to another thing by sticking or fastening it

is broader, covering any way of making two things firmly joined
to adhere
vsto glue
17 5.2

To stick firmly to a surface such as glass or plastic

covers that action but also includes making things immovably focused or attached
to cleave
vsto glue
  • Literature
7 7.5

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

focuses more on physically or firmly fixing things rather than faithful attachment
to superglue
vsto glue
2 3.4

To fix something by using a very strong glue that joins quickly

is the general process of making things firmly fixed not a named adhesive
to conglutinate
vsto glue
9.9

To stick things together or become stuck together by something sticky

is the general act of fastening or making attachments without specifying stickiness
to epoxy
vsto glue
6.6

To join things together using a very strong plastic glue

is the broader act of fastening without naming a particular adhesive

Antonyms

88 1.0

Make something less tight so it can move or open

Compounds

1 2.8

A very strong sticky liquid that joins things quickly

1 9.5

A person who breathes in glue fumes to feel high

casein glue
  • Specialized
6.1

A strong sticky substance from milk that joins pieces of wood

epoxy glue
  • Specialized
3.9

A very strong glue made by mixing two parts to join hard materials like metal or glass

A glue that you make by boiling animal skins, bones, or hooves

fish glue
  • Specialized
7.5

A sticky glue made by boiling fish skins and bones for woodworking and bookbinding

A waterproof material that sticks things together on boats or in water

5.3

Thick sticky liquid builds up behind the eardrum and reduces hearing in children

glue factory
  • Offensive
7.5

A place where people or things that are no longer useful are sent to be thrown away

How Firmly Fixed

to immobilize
21 6.0
to anchor
51 3.4
to glue
50 1.8
to fix
218 1.0
to hold
840 1.4

Surface Forms

glue infinitive
glued past
glued past participle
gluing present participle
glues third person singular

Etymology

A helpful way to remember the figurative use of glue is to imagine being physically 'stuck' to something; the original word meant a sticky material, so if you are 'glued' to the screen your attention is fixed there and you cannot look away.