stick
gb/stˈɪk/ us/stˈɪk/
A1
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Attach or stay fixed
To make something stay on a surface by using glue or another sticky thing.
Usage pattern:
to stick [something] to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'stick' with 'glue' — 'glue' is usually the substance, while 'stick' is the action.
Synonyms
adhere (More formal and often used in scientific or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
detach (Means to separate or remove something from a surface.)
Collocations
stick together
|stick to the wall
|stick on
|stick with tape
Themes
daily life
|objects
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She used tape to stick the photo to the wall.
- The label won't stick to the wet bottle.
- Please stick the stamp onto the envelope.
- The poster stuck firmly despite the rain.
Learner examples
- I stick the note on the door.
- He sticks pictures in his book.
- We stick the paper to the board.
- They stick the sign on the wall.
Verb
B1
action
2
Continue without quitting
To keep doing something and not stop, even if it is hard.
Usage pattern:
to stick with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'stick with' and 'stay with'; 'stick with' often implies commitment despite difficulty.
Synonyms
persist (More formal, often used in motivational or academic contexts.)
Antonyms
quit (Means to stop doing something before finishing.)
Collocations
stick with it
|stick to your plan
|stick with your team
Themes
personal development
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- If you stick with this exercise routine, you'll see results.
- She decided to stick with her original idea.
- We should stick to our plan and not change it now.
Learner examples
- I will stick with my job.
- She sticks to her study plan.
- We stick with our friends.
Noun
A1
entity
3
Thin piece of wood
A long, thin piece of wood.
Synonyms
rod (Usually more rigid or manufactured, not just from nature.)
Antonyms
log (Much larger and thicker piece of wood.)
Collocations
walking stick
|drum stick
|wooden stick
Themes
nature
|objects
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He used a stick to draw in the sand.
- The dog carried a stick in its mouth.
- She leaned on her walking stick.
Learner examples
- I have a big stick.
- The dog plays with a stick.
- He walks with a stick.
Verb
A2
action
4
Push or insert into place
To push something into a place or object.
Usage pattern:
to stick [something] in/into [something]
Synonyms
insert (More formal and precise; less casual than 'stick'.)
Antonyms
remove (Means to take something out of a place.)
Collocations
stick your hand in
|stick a pin into
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He stuck his hands into his pockets.
- Stick the key into the lock and turn it.
- She stuck the letter in her bag.
Learner examples
- I stick my pen in my bag.
- She sticks the key into the door.
- He sticks his hand in his pocket.
Verb
A2
state
5
Become fixed in place
To not be able to move because it is caught or stuck.
Synonyms
jam (Often refers to mechanical or moving parts being blocked.)
Antonyms
loosen (Means to make something less tight or fixed.)
Collocations
stick together
|stick in the mud
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The drawer sticks when you try to open it.
- Her hair stuck to her face in the wind.
- The car got stuck in the snow.
Learner examples
- The door sticks when I open it.
- My shoe sticks in the mud.
- Her hair sticks to her face.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stick
IPA
GB/stˈɪk/
US/stˈɪk/
Syllables & stress
stick (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (stick)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: stick
- Plural: sticks
Verb
- Base: stick
- 3rd Person Singular: sticks
- Present Participle: sticking
- Past: stuck
- Past Participle: stuck
Word family
Forms
sticks
noun
sticking
verb
stuck
verb
Related words
stickiness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unstick
verb
nonstick
adjective
Highlights
- Irregular past: stuck Verb
- Irregular past participle: stuck Verb
Expressions
stick around
1/stˈɪk ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
informal
Stay somewhere for a while longer
To stay in a place and not leave yet.
Examples
- Stick around after the show for autographs.
- I think I'll stick around until she arrives.
stick out
1/stˈɪk ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Be noticeable or extend outward
To be easy to see or reach out past a surface.
Examples
- His ears stick out slightly from his head.
- One building sticks out above all the others.
stick with it
1/stˈɪk wˈɪθ ˈɪt/
fixed phrase
informal
Continue until success or finish
To keep doing something hard until you finish it.
Examples
- Learning a language is tough, but you have to stick with it.
- Stick with it—you’re almost done!
stick to your guns
1/stˈɪk tə jˈʊɹ ɡˈʌnz/
idiom
informal
Refuse to change decision/opinion
To keep your opinion or plan even when people say you are wrong.
Examples
- She stuck to her guns during the debate.
- Even under criticism, he stuck to his guns.
stick to your guns
2/stˈɪk tə jˈʊɹ ɡˈʌnz/
idiom
Stay firm in your beliefs or decisions
To not change your opinion or decision even when people disagree with you.
Examples
- Even under pressure, she stuck to her guns and refused to sign the deal.
- You should stick to your guns if you believe you're right.
stick together
1/stˈɪk təɡˈɛðɚ/
phrasal verb
stay close and support each other
To stay near someone and help each other.
Examples
- We need to stick together during hard times.
- The friends stuck together throughout college.
stick together
2/stˈɪk təɡˈɛðɚ/
phrasal verb
Stay close and support each other
To stay with other people and help each other.
Examples
- Families should stick together in hard times.
- We need to stick together if we want to win.