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stick

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verb American English pronunciation: stick /stɪk/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theystick
he/she/itsticks
present participlesticking
past tensestuck
past participlestuck
 
  1. 1
    [transitive] to attach one thing to another, especially using a sticky substance such as glue
    stick something on/in/into/under/to etc. something:

    We stuck the tickets in a scrapbook.

    I licked the stamp and stuck it on the envelope.

    She was sticking posters on her bedroom wall.

    stick something together:

    Can you stick the pieces of this vase back together?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  stickThesaurus entry for this meaning of stick
    1. a.
      [intransitive] to become attached to something, especially by means of a sticky substance
      stick to:

      The pasta has stuck to the bottom of the pan.

      He was boiling hot and his jacket was sticking to his back.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  stickThesaurus entry for this meaning of stick
  2. 2
    [transitive] informal to put something somewhere quickly and without taking much care
    stick something in/on/around etc. something:

    Ned stuck his hands in his pockets.

    Just stick the plates in the sink for now.

    He stuck his head around the kitchen door and said goodbye.

    stick something in the air:

    The dog rolled on its back and stuck its legs in the air.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  stickThesaurus entry for this meaning of stick
  3. 3
    [transitive] to push something long and thin into or through something else
    stick something in/into/through/up etc. something:

    He stuck the end of the shovel in the soft ground.

    She stuck her knitting needles into a ball of wool.

    a piece of cloth with a pin stuck through it

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  stickThesaurus entry for this meaning of stick
    1. a.
      [intransitive] if something sticks in, into, or through something else, its end remains pushed into or through it
      stick in/into/through:

      The knife missed its target and stuck in the door.

      Something sharp was sticking into my back.

      A broken spring was sticking through the mattress.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  stickThesaurus entry for this meaning of stick
    2. b.
      [transitive] to push something onto something with a sharp point so that it is held there
      stick something on/onto something:

      She stuck the marshmallow on the end of the twig and held it close to the fire.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  stickThesaurus entry for this meaning of stick
  4. 4
    [intransitive] to become firmly attached in one position, and therefore difficult or impossible to move

    The door is sticking, so just give it a good push.

    stick in/under/at etc.:

    The wheels had stuck in the mud.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  stickThesaurus entry for this meaning of stick
  5. 5
    [intransitive] if a new name for someone or something sticks, it becomes accepted and used by everyone

    He’d been called “Tufty” at school, and the name had stuck.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  stickThesaurus entry for this meaning of stick

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This is the American English definition of stick. View British English definition of stick.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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