noun / adjective

adhesive

uhd-HEE-siv/ədˈhiːsɪv/

A substance that makes surfaces stick together, or having this ability.

A bead of adhesive remains visible where the wooden strips join.

An open glue bottle beside two small wooden strips bonded in an overlapping joint, with a visible bead of the same creamy adhesive squeezed out along the seam.

Etymology

adLatinto, toward

+hesLatinto stick, cling

+iveFrenchhaving a tendency to

The pieces describe something that tends to “stick to.” The adjective meaning “sticky” became a noun naming a substance that makes other things stick together.

In context

Lone Fox23:49

i used a bit of fabri-tac adhesive to just glue this down to the backside to hide any of the ugliness from that terrazzo paper

10 DIY DOLLAR TREE HOME DECOR PROJECTS - Affordable + Cute $1 Decor Transformations!

More examples

The label has an adhesive backing.
Different adhesives work best on different materials.
He covers the small tear with adhesive tape.

Forms

adhesive · adhesives

adhesion noun — The process or state of sticking together.

Similar words

glue: A common type of adhesive, often applied as a liquid.
sealant: Primarily closes gaps rather than fastening two surfaces together.