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stick

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verb British 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
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [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 post 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 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 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 bread on the end of the toasting fork.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stick
  2. 2
    [transitive] to fix one thing to another, especially using a sticky substance such as glue
    stick something on/in/into/under/to etc something:

    We stuck the articles 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 stick
    1. a.
      [intransitive] to become fixed 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 stick
  3. 3
    [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 stick
    See also  boot1
  4. 4
    [intransitive] to become firmly fixed 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 stick
  5. 5
    [transitive] British informal to continue to the end of a difficult or unpleasant situation

    I don't know how she's stuck that job this long.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stick
  6. 6
    [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 stick

phrases

See also

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

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for stick.

 

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