# adhesive

/ædˈhisɪv/ (US) · /ɐdhˈiːsɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adhesive
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. glue or bonding agent

noun · CEFR B2

a substance, such as glue or paste, that you use to make two surfaces stick together.

For teachers: a substance capable of holding materials together by surface attachment. The term is often preferred in technical or industrial contexts over 'glue'.

- You need a strong adhesive to fix the tiles to the bathroom wall.
- The aerospace industry requires a specialised adhesive that can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations without losing its structural integrity.

### 2. sticky

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

describes something that is able to stick to other things.

For teachers: tending to adhere or cause adhesion; possessing the quality of stickiness.

- The back of the postage stamp has an adhesive coating.
- The researchers developed an adhesive film inspired by the microscopic hairs on a gecko's feet, allowing it to cling to smooth glass.

## Examples

- The adhesive on the envelope dried quickly.
- She used a strong adhesive to fix the broken ceramic vase.
- The engineer selected a heat-resistant adhesive capable of withstanding extreme temperatures without losing its structural integrity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.