adjective

sticky

Tending to adhere to surfaces, or difficult to handle.

The sticky label clings to the bottom of the jar.

Etymology

Stick means to adhere or remain fixed. The adjective names that tendency, with the figurative difficult sense suggesting a situation from which it is hard to get free.

More examples

Sprinkle flour on the sticky dough before kneading it.
Taking sides in their argument puts me in a sticky situation.
The syrup gets stickier as it cools.

Forms

sticky · stickier · stickiest

stickiness noun — The quality of adhering to surfaces.

Similar words

tacky: Slightly adhesive to the touch, often describing partly dried paint.
adhesive: Able to bond surfaces together, often for a specific purpose.
tricky: Difficult to handle or solve, without suggesting physical adhesion.