# viscous

/ˈvɪskəs/ (US) · /vˈɪskəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/viscous
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

describing a liquid that is thick and flows very slowly, like honey or syrup.

For teachers: having a high resistance to flow; describing a fluid that exhibits significant internal friction when subjected to shear stress.

## Examples

- Honey is a viscous liquid.
- The engineer tested the viscous properties of the new oil to ensure it would protect the engine in extreme cold.

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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.