sticky bun
5
1.3
- noun
- /ˈstɪki bʌn/
- US
:
panecillo pegajoso
- Aunt Gin had used it to make sticky buns, one of her few domestic skills, rolling out the dough before she sprinkled on the cinnamon and sugar.
- pecan sticky buns
- caramel sticky buns
- famous sticky buns
Examples
-
And then perhaps something sweet, a nutty sticky bun.
-
These sticky buns are just heaven.
-
I think I'm gonna get me one of them sticky buns on the way in.
-
The cooking of the sticky buns for me was pretty straightforward.
Blog text (22) -
There aren't usually any sticky buns left after five.
Fiction book (1998) -
Flour Bakery for all things baked; the sticky buns are a must.
Blog text (20) -
"Defina picked up the last of the sticky buns in one hand, took a bite, and lifted the empty plate in the other."
Fiction book (1994) -
On the coffee table before the girl, there was a plate piled high with three sticky buns that Mrs. Frampton had succeeded in heating.
Fiction book (1994) -
The smells were as rich as the populace: hot sticky buns from the bakery, a dark roast blend from the café, and chocolate from fresh-dipped fruit at the candy store.
Fiction book (2002) -
Mom and Dad were sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and eating sticky buns.
Synonyms
8
1.3
A sweet rolled pastry baked with cinnamon and sugar, often with raisins
5
1.0
A sweet baked roll of dough filled with cinnamon and sugar
4
1.1
A small sweet bread made with yeast, often with cinnamon, nuts, or glaze
3
1.4
A sweet sticky pastry like a spiral roll flavored with honey and cinnamon
1
2.7
A sweet sticky pastry made with honey or sugar eaten as a snack
1
9.9
A sweet rolled pastry filled with sugar and nuts
A small sweet roll filled with sticky caramel and nuts
How Sticky
- UK
- US
5
1.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning of 'sticky bun' is directly compositional: a 'bun' (small sweet roll) that is 'sticky' (coated with syrup/honey), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the pastry meaning. This straightforward adjective + noun combination follows common cross-linguistic patterns for describing food properties, making it immediately understandable.
Etymology
Sticky bun comes from the pastry itself: a soft bun is coated with honey or syrup so it becomes very sticky and sweet. So the name explains why it means 'a gooey sweet roll' today.