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sticker

n. · v.
US //ˈstɪkɝ// UK //stˈɪkɐ// stick·er
  1. 1 adhesive label (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a piece of paper or plastic with glue on the back that you can stick onto a surface.

    an adhesive label or decal designed to be attached to a surface.

    Example

    The child put a colorful sticker of a dinosaur on his notebook.

    Example

    Custom vinyl stickers are frequently used for branding equipment because they resist weather damage better than standard paper labels.
  2. 2 digital image (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    a small, cartoon-like picture used in chat apps to show an emotion or reaction.

    a digital illustration or icon used in electronic messaging to convey emotions or actions, often more detailed than a standard emoji.

    Example

    She sent a funny cat sticker to show she was happy about the news.

    Example

    The messaging platform released a new pack of animated stickers to encourage user engagement during the holiday season.
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  1. 3 retail price (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    the official price of an item, especially a new car, as shown on the tag.

    the manufacturer's suggested retail price, particularly as displayed on a window or tag of a new vehicle.

    Example

    The car was expensive, but we managed to pay less than the sticker price.

    Example

    Savvy buyers rarely pay the full sticker price, as dealerships often have significant margins for negotiation during the end-of-month sales push.
    • list price
    • asking price
  2. 4 record label (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Music

    a company that produces and sells music records.

    a brand or company, specifically within the music industry, that produces and distributes recordings.

    Example

    The band signed with a small independent sticker to keep their creative freedom.

    Example

    After years of operating as a DIY collective, the artists finally secured a distribution deal with a major European sticker.
  3. 5 prickly seed (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal American English

    a small, sharp seed or plant part that sticks to your clothes or animal fur.

    a burr or prickly seed pod that adheres to surfaces via small hooks or spines.

    Example

    After walking through the field, my socks were covered in tiny stickers.

    Example

    The dog spent ten minutes biting at the stickers caught in its long fur after our hike through the overgrown trail.
  4. 6 to apply labels (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to put stickers onto something.

    to apply one or more adhesive labels to a surface or object.

    Example

    The activists stickered the entire wall with political messages overnight.

    Example

    The warehouse staff spent the afternoon stickering the outgoing crates with the new safety warnings required by the updated regulations.
Origin

From stick (“to pierce, to be fastened, to adhere”) + -er (“agent”).

Idioms1 entry

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