What does "mastic" mean?
An evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), native to the Mediterranean.
Mastic
/ˈmæstɪk/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), native to the Mediterranean.
- Grammar: mastic is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: adhesive, amber, caulk, caulks.
- Useful contrasts: colorless, nonadhesive, nonresinous.
- Usage evidence: The island of Scio is now called by the Greeks Kio [Χιο], the antient Greek name of it was Chios [Χιος]; it was first called Ætalia in very antient times, and also Mastic, on account of the great number of mastic trees that were in this island.
How to use "mastic"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "mastic" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "mastic" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "mastic" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "mastic" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "mastic" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adhesive" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "mastic", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), native to the Mediterranean. countable, uncountable
"The island of Scio is now called by the Greeks Kio [Χιο], the antient Greek name of it was Chios [Χιος]; it was first called Ætalia in very antient times, and also Mastic, on account of the great number of mastic trees that were in this island."
- 2 an evergreen shrub of the Mediterranean region that is cultivated for its resin wordnet
- 3 A hard, brittle, aromatic and transparent resin produced by this tree and used to make varnishes and chewing gum, and as a flavouring. countable, uncountable
"The mastic, of which the people of Scio gather every year an incredible quantity, is a very rich gum, made use of in medicines, which distils from a shrub called, in Latin, Lentiscus."
- 4 a pasty cement used as an adhesive or filler wordnet
- 5 An alcoholic liquor flavoured with this resin. countable, uncountable
"He took a list from the desk and read aloud Fatima’s offerings:— […] four bottles of rare mastic from Scio."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 an aromatic exudate from the mastic tree; used chiefly in varnishes wordnet
- 7 Any of various cements, usually flexible and waterproof, used as an adhesive, sealant, caulk, or filler. Commonwealth, English, countable, especially, uncountable
"‘They have a few holes here and there. A few. Tiny tiny.’ ‘We could fix those up easy. Mastic cement. Not expensive, boss.’"
Example
"The island of Scio is now called by the Greeks Kio [Χιο], the antient Greek name of it was Chios [Χιος]; it was first called Ætalia in very antient times, and also Mastic, on account of the great number of mastic trees that were in this island."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "mastic"?
Common synonyms include: adhesive, amber, caulk, caulks, cement, composition.
How do you use "mastic" in a sentence?
The island of Scio is now called by the Greeks Kio [Χιο], the antient Greek name of it was Chios [Χιος]; it was first called Ætalia in very antient times, and also Mastic, on account of the great number of mastic trees that were in this island.
How do you pronounce "mastic"?
Pronounced /ˈmæstɪk/.
Etymology
From Middle English mastik, from Old French mastic, from Latin mastiche, from Ancient Greek μαστίχη (mastíkhē), from μαστιχάω (mastikháō, “I chew”) (note the chewing gum sense). Related to masticate. The broad sense for cements came via extension from predecessor cements made with the tree's resin. Doublet of mastika.