adhesive

1 of 2

adjective

ad·​he·​sive ad-ˈhē-siv How to pronounce adhesive (audio) -ziv How to pronounce adhesive (audio)
əd-
Synonyms of adhesivenext
1
: tending to remain in association or memory
2
: tending to adhere or cause adherence
3
: prepared for adhering
4
medical : characterized by the formation of new fibrous tissue resulting from an inflammatory process
adhesive inflammations
adhesively adverb
adhesiveness noun

adhesive

2 of 2

noun

1
: an adhesive substance (such as glue or cement)
2
: a postage stamp with a gummed back

Synonyms

Adjective

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of adhesive in a Sentence

Adjective Cover the cut with an adhesive bandage. walked barefoot through adhesive, clayey mud Noun You'll need a strong adhesive to attach the boards. prefers postage stamps coated with adhesive so that she doesn't have to do any licking
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The adhesive system carries enough glue for multiple attachments in one mission so the operator can relocate to a better spot if needed. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Also included with the Crystal Water Monitor are mounting brackets, screws, adhesive, and plastic ties for attaching the monitor to a pool ladder or the side of a hot tub. — PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
Coupled with a suite of PFAS-free process innovations—including water-repellent surface modification and adhesives—the membrane also preserves waterproof performance. — Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025 Previously limited to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the adhesive would be extended to the Pro models, making repair and replacements easier. — PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adhesive

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin adhaesīvus, from Latin adhaesus (past participle of adhaerēre "to adhere") + -īvus -ive

Noun

derivative of adhesive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of adhesive was in 1661

Phrases Containing adhesive

Rhymes for adhesive

See All Rhymes for adhesive

Browse Nearby Words

adhesion
adhesive
adhesive binding
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adhesive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adhesive. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

adhesive

1 of 2 adjective
ad·​he·​sive ad-ˈhē-siv How to pronounce adhesive (audio)
əd-,
-ziv
: tending to adhere : prepared for adhering
adhesiveness noun

adhesive

2 of 2 noun
: an adhesive substance (as glue or cement)

Medical Definition

adhesive

1 of 2 adjective
ad·​he·​sive -ˈhē-siv How to pronounce adhesive (audio) -ziv How to pronounce adhesive (audio)
1
a
: tending to adhere or cause adherence
adhesive resins
b
: prepared for adhering
an adhesive bandage
2
: characterized by adhesions
adhesive inflammation
adhesively adverb

adhesive

2 of 2 noun
1
: an adhesive substance
especially : a substance (as glue, starch, paste, or mucilage) that bonds two materials together by adhering to the surface of each
2
: adhesive tape

More from Merriam-Webster on adhesive

Nglish: Translation of adhesive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adhesive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

Is it 'autumn' or 'fall'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Plant Names That Sound Like Insults

Color Words to Describe Autumn Leaves

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All