- 1[transitive, intransitive] to push something, usually a sharp object, into something; to be pushed into something stick something + adv./prep. The nurse stuck the needle into my arm. Don't stick your fingers through the bars of the cage. + adv./prep. I found a nail sticking in the tire. attach
- 2[transitive, intransitive] to attach something to something else, usually with a sticky substance; to become attached to something in this way stick something + adv./prep. He stuck a stamp on the envelope. We used glue to stick the broken pieces together. I stuck the photos into an album. + adv./prep. Her wet clothes were sticking to her body. The glue's useless—the pieces just won't stick.
- 3[transitive] stick something + adv./prep. (informal) to put something in a place, especially quickly or carelessly Stick your bags down there. He stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled off. Can you stick this on the noticeboard? Peter stuck his head around the door and said, “Coffee, anyone?” (informal) Stick 'em up! (= put your hands above your head — I have a gun) become fixed
- 4[intransitive] stick (in something) to become fixed in one position and impossible to move synonym jam The key is stuck in the lock. This drawer keeps sticking. become accepted
- 5[intransitive] to become accepted The police couldn't make the charges stick (= show them to be true). His friends called him Bart and the name has stuck (= has become the name that everyone calls him). in card games
- 6[intransitive] to not take any more cards see stuck Idioms
- 1(of words) to be difficult or impossible to say She wanted to say how sorry she was but the words seemed to stick in her throat.
- 2(of a situation) to be difficult or impossible to accept; to make you angry
verb jump to other results
NAmE//stɪk//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they stick he / she / it sticks
past simple stuck
-ing form sticking
to refuse to admit that a problem exists or refuse to deal with it
to try to become involved in something that does not concern you He's always poking his nose into other people's business.
to be very unfriendly to someone and try to harm them
to be very noticeable in an unpleasant way The blue building stood out like a sore thumb among the whitewashed villas. If you wear a suit to the party, you'll stand out like a sore thumb.
to be very obvious or noticeable It stood out a mile that she was lying.
(of a memory, an image, etc.) to be remembered for a long time One of his paintings in particular sticks in my mind.
to do or say something when there is a risk that you may be wrong I'll stick my neck out and say that Bill is definitely the best candidate for the job.
to refuse to change your mind about something even when other people are trying to persuade you that you are wrong
tell somebody where to put/stick something, tell somebody what they can do with something (informal) jump to other results
Check pronunciation: stick