What does "stickiness" mean?
The property of sticking or adhering; adhesion.
Stickiness
noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The property of sticking or adhering; adhesion.
- Grammar: stickiness is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: adh..., adhere to original terms, adherence, adhesion.
- Useful contrasts: nonstick, churn, debonding ease.
- Usage evidence: Like lift, there are many factors that affect the magnitude of the drag force including the shape of the aircraft, the "stickiness" of the air, and the velocity of the aircraft.
How to use "stickiness"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "stickiness" 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 "stickiness" 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 "stickiness" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "stickiness" 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 "stickiness" 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 "adh..." 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.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "stickiness", 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 The property of sticking or adhering; adhesion. uncountable, usually
"[…] The flesh [of the mistletoe berry] is sticky, and forms strings and ribbons between my thumb and forefinger. For the mistletoe, this viscous goop – and by the way, viscous comes to English from viscum – is crucial. The stickiness means that, after eating the berries, birds often regurgitate the seeds and then wipe their bills on twigs – leading to the seeds' getting glued to the tree, where they can germinate and begin the cycle anew."
- 2 the property of sticking to a surface wordnet
- 3 Warmth and humidity, as on a muggy day. uncountable, usually
- 4 Of prices or wages: the tendency to stay the same despite changes in the economy. uncountable, usually
- 5 The presence of unique attributes that make a product indisposable and valuable to its owner. uncountable, usually
"The stickiness of a cellphone might be measured by its ability to tell correct time, locate its user, and allow its user to remain connected regardless of location."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A research measure that captures the extent to which viewers wish to spend more time looking at or reading a print advertisement. uncountable, usually
"The low stickiness rating helped explain why our ad’s brand linkage rating was so low: people were turned off by the blurriness of the main photo."
- 7 An overemotional attachment to others; clinging in interpersonal relations; difficulty with ending conversations. uncountable, usually
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Like lift, there are many factors that affect the magnitude of the drag force including the shape of the aircraft, the "stickiness" of the air, and the velocity of the aircraft."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "stickiness"?
Common synonyms include: adh..., adhere to original terms, adherence, adhesion, adhesive, adhesiveness.
How do you use "stickiness" in a sentence?
Like lift, there are many factors that affect the magnitude of the drag force including the shape of the aircraft, the "stickiness" of the air, and the velocity of the aircraft.
Etymology
From sticky + -ness.