glued

1 3.0

Stuck firmly in one place or unable to stop paying attention

adjective
/ɡluːd/

Informal

: pegado

I was glued to the movie, unable to look away from the screen.

It's actually the coat itself is glued to the backpack.

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Examples

I was so glued to the news in the weeks that followed 9/11.

Blog text (23)
As many of you probably are, I'm glued to my television watching Hurricane Sandy devastate the eastern seaboard.

Blog text (12)
The audience was glued to their seats during the thrilling performance.
After hearing the news, I was glued to the live broadcast for updates.

Synonyms

adherent

vsglued

Specialized

1 6.6

Sticks firmly to a surface

is about being firmly fixed, not only surface clinging

pasted

vsglued

2.8

Attached to something with glue, like paper or a label

is firmly fixed in place without naming a specific fastening method

affixed

vsglued

4.4

Firmly attached to a surface or object so it cannot move

is held by a sticky substance rather than described as general holding

fixed

vsglued

1.0

Attached firmly to something so it cannot move

is more about an adhesive bond rather than general immobility

taped

vsglued

1.1

Held in place by tape

is the same idea but usually implies a liquid adhesive rather than an adhesive strip

fastened

vsglued

1.3

Kept closed so it does not open or move

is about being held by a sticky bond rather than mechanical closure

tied

vsglued

1.0

Fastened with string or rope

is the same firmness but created by an adhesive bond not by using rope or string

Antonyms

loose

155 1.0

Not tight so it can move or fall off

mobile

81 2.7

Able to change or move easily

Idioms

glued to

Informal

24 4.5

So interested that you cannot stop watching or listening

glued to the idiot box

Slang

9.2

Spending a long time watching television and not doing much else

How Fixed

fixed

1.0

glued

Informal

1 3.0

stuck

∞ 1.0

loose

155 1.0

Surface Forms

glued positive

Morphology

glued = glue (transparent) = glue + ed

The adjective/past-participle meaning is a direct result of the verb 'glue' plus '-ed'; metaphorical uses like 'glued to the screen' are readily inferable.

Etymology

Glued comes from the word glue, a 'sticky' substance used to join things, so if you are 'glued' to a book or the TV you are stuck there as if held by glue.