sticky
tending to stick to things
Describes something that feels like glue and makes things stay on it or on each other.
[something] is sticky / sticky [noun]
- Be careful, the paint on that wall is still sticky.
- The kids left sticky fingerprints all over the glass door.
- Use sticky tape to hold the paper together.
- My hands are sticky from peeling the mangoes.
- The table is sticky after the party.
- This candy is very sticky in my mouth.
- I use sticky tape to close the box.
- Her hair was sticky from the hair spray.
hot and uncomfortably humid
Describes weather that is warm and wet in the air so that your skin feels wet and you may sweat a lot.
it is sticky [time/place] / sticky [day/night/weather]
- It was so sticky last night that I could hardly sleep.
- New York summers can be really hot and sticky.
- The air feels sticky today, even though it's not very sunny.
- The weather is hot and sticky today.
- I do not like sticky nights in the city.
- It feels sticky in this room; can we open a window?
- After the rain, the day was warm and sticky.
difficult or awkward to deal with
Describes a situation or problem that is hard to manage and may cause trouble or embarrassment.
a sticky [situation/problem/issue] / get into a sticky situation
- He found himself in a sticky situation after lying to his boss.
- That question about salaries was a bit sticky in the meeting.
- Negotiations became sticky when they started talking about money.
- The company is in a sticky position with both customers and regulators.
- I got into a sticky situation at work.
- The teacher asked a sticky question about my homework.
- This is a sticky problem; I do not know what to do.
- Their relationship became sticky after the argument.
remaining fixed or constantly active (computing)
In computers and websites, describes something that stays on the screen or stays active until you change it.
sticky [header/menu/post/setting/key]
- The website uses a sticky header so the navigation bar stays visible as you scroll.
- You can pin an announcement as a sticky post at the top of the forum.
- On this form, sticky fields remember what the user typed last time.
- This page has a sticky menu at the top.
- The forum admin made the rules a sticky post.
- If you turn on sticky keys, you can press one key at a time.
- The site uses a sticky bar for the cookie message.
encouraging users to stay or return
In business and tech, describes something that makes people want to keep using it and not leave.
a sticky [product/app/website/service]
- The new rewards program makes the app much stickier.
- Investors liked how sticky the platform was with younger users.
- We need to improve onboarding if we want a truly sticky product.
- This game is very sticky; I play it every day.
- A sticky website keeps users on the page longer.
- The company wants to make its service more sticky.
- Good content helps an app become sticky.
slow to change, especially in economics
In economics, describes prices or wages that do not change quickly, even when they should change.
sticky [prices/wages/rates]
- Economists often talk about sticky wages during recessions.
- Sticky prices can slow down the adjustment of an economy after a shock.
- Rent is usually sticky downward, even when demand falls.
- Some prices are sticky and do not fall quickly.
- In many countries, wages are sticky and hard to cut.
- Sticky prices can make economic recovery slower.
- Economists study why some costs are sticky.
- Base: sticky
- Comparative: stickier
- Superlative: stickiest
sticky fingers
1habit of stealing small things
A habit of taking things that are not yours, especially small or easy-to-take things.
- The shopkeeper suspected the boy had sticky fingers.
- Don't leave your wallet lying around; someone here has sticky fingers.
- They hired security cameras after too many employees turned out to have sticky fingers.
sticky note
1small piece of adhesive note paper
A small colored piece of paper with a weak glue on one side that you can stick on things and remove easily.
- She left a sticky note on the fridge to remind him about the appointment.
- I put sticky notes on my monitor with my to-do list.
- Please write your name on a sticky note and attach it to your folder.
sticky rice
1type of rice that clumps together
A kind of rice that becomes soft and sticks together when cooked, often used in Asian dishes and desserts.
- We ordered mango with sticky rice for dessert.
- Sticky rice is used in many traditional dishes in Southeast Asia.
sticky situation
1a difficult or awkward situation
A situation that is hard to deal with and may cause trouble or embarrassment.
- Losing his passport put him in a very sticky situation.
- She got herself into a sticky situation by lying about her qualifications.
- The company is in a sticky situation with both its customers and the media.
sticky tape
1narrow roll of adhesive tape
A long, thin piece of plastic or paper with glue on one side, used to join or fix things.
- Use sticky tape to close the box.
- She hung the posters with sticky tape so they wouldn't damage the wall.
- We need more sticky tape to wrap these presents.
sticky wicket
1a very difficult situation
A very difficult situation where it is hard to do well or make the right move.
- The prime minister is on a sticky wicket over this tax issue.
- We knew we were on a sticky wicket when our main investor pulled out.