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REFERENCE

stick

v. · n.
US //ˈstɪk// UK //stˈɪk// stick
Irregular verb past stuck past participle stuck
  1. 1 to attach (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to fix something to another surface using glue, tape, or a pin.

    to cause something to adhere to a surface; transitive when used with an object and often followed by 'to'.

    Example

    He used some tape to stick the poster to his bedroom wall.

    Example

    The technician had to stick the warning label directly onto the glass so that it would be visible to anyone entering the laboratory.
  2. 2 to become trapped (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to become fixed in one position so that you cannot move.

    to become lodged or jammed in a particular position, preventing further motion.

    Example

    The key got stuck in the lock and I couldn't turn it.

    Example

    The heavy cargo ship became stuck in the narrow canal, causing a massive delay for dozens of other vessels waiting to pass through.
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  1. 3 to put somewhere (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    to put something in a place quickly or without much care.

    to place or set something down in a casual, hurried, or careless manner.

    Example

    Just stick your bags in the corner and come have some tea.

    Example

    He decided to stick the extra files in the bottom drawer, hoping he wouldn't need to look at them again for several months.
  2. 4 to stay or remain (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to stay with an idea, a plan, or a person and not change.

    to remain loyal or persistent; frequently used in the phrasal verb 'stick to' or 'stick with'.

    Example

    If you stick to your diet, you will see results in a few weeks.

    Example

    Despite the initial setbacks, the team decided to stick with their original strategy rather than switching to a riskier alternative.
  3. 5 to push into (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to push a sharp object into something.

    to pierce or poke something with a pointed object.

    Example

    Be careful not to stick your finger with that needle.

    Example

    The chef used a small wooden skewer to stick the meat and vegetables together before placing them on the grill.
  4. 6 piece of wood (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a long, thin piece of wood that has fallen from a tree.

    a branch or shoot of a tree or shrub that has been cut or broken off.

    Example

    The children spent the afternoon gathering sticks to build a small fire.

    Example

    The hiker used a sturdy fallen stick to help maintain his balance while navigating the slippery rocks near the stream.
  5. 7 cylindrical unit (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a long, thin piece of something, like butter, gum, or glue.

    a quantity of a substance formed into a slender, roughly cylindrical or rectangular shape.

    Example

    The recipe calls for one stick of butter and two cups of sugar.

    Example

    She always kept a stick of lip balm in her pocket to prevent her skin from drying out during the winter months.
  6. 8 criticism (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English Informal

    severe criticism or verbal abuse.

    harsh criticism or punishment; often used in the phrase 'to get stick'.

    Example

    The goalkeeper got a lot of stick from the fans after he missed the ball.

    Example

    The politician took a fair amount of stick from the press after his controversial comments were leaked to the public.
  7. 9 the remote countryside (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a place that is far away from any town or city.

    rural areas far from cities or urban centres; almost always used as 'the sticks'.

    Example

    I grew up out in the sticks, so moving to London was a huge change.

    Example

    They decided to sell their apartment and move out to the sticks to enjoy a quieter pace of life near the mountains.
Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)teyg- Proto-Indo-European *stignéh₂- Proto-Germanic *stikkōną Proto-Germanic *stikkô Proto-West Germanic *stikkō Old English sticca Middle English stikke English stick From Middle English stikke (“stick, rod, twig”), from Old English sticca (“rod, twig”), from Proto-West Germanic stikkō, from Proto-Germanic stikkô (“stick, pole”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)teyg- (“to pierce, prick, be sharp”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Stikke (“stick”), West Flemish stik (“stick”), Dutch stek (“spot, place, home”), German Low German Stick (“stick”), German Stecken (“stick”), Danish and Norwegian stikke (“stick”), Swedish sticka (“splinter, needle”). Related to stigma.

Etymology 2

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)teyg- Proto-Indo-European *stignéh₂- Proto-Germanic *stikkōną Proto-West Germanic *stikkōn Old English stician Middle English stiken English stick From Middle English stiken (“to stick, pierce, stab, remain embedded, be fastened”), from Old English stician (“to pierce, stab, remain embedded, be fastened”), from Proto-West Germanic stikkōn, from Proto-Germanic stikkōną (“to pierce, prick, be sharp”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)tig-, (s)teyg- (“to pierce, prick, be sharp”). See also the related Proto-Germanic *stikaną, whence West Frisian stekke, Low German steken, Dutch steken, German stechen; compare also Danish stikke, Swedish sticka. Cognate with the first etymology (same PIE root, different paths through Germanic and Old English), to stitch, and to etiquette, via French étiquette – see there for further discussion.

Etymology 3

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)teyg- Proto-Germanic *stikaną ▲ Proto-Germanic *stikaną Proto-Germanic *stukkōną Proto-Germanic *stukkiją Proto-West Germanic *stukkī Old Dutch *stukki Middle Dutch sticbor. Middle English stick English stick From Middle English stick, stik, steik, from Middle Dutch stic, stec, stuc (“piece”), from Old Dutch stukki, from Proto-West Germanic stukkī, from Proto-Germanic *stukkiją (“piece”). Cognate with German Stück (“piece”), Middle English stucche, sticche (“piece”).

Word family
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