stick
Third Person
sticks
Present Participle
sticking
Past Tense
stuck
Past Participle
stuck
1
to fix an object to another, usually with glue or another similar substance
transitive
- I need to stick this photo to the page of my scrapbook.
- Please stick the label to the package securely.
- He tried to stick the poster to the wall with tape.
- I'll stick this note to your computer so you won't forget.
2
to push or insert something pointed or sharp into or through something else
transitive
- The chef stuck a toothpick into the appetizer to hold it together.
- She stuck a pencil into the soil to plant a small seed.
- They stuck a flag into the ground to mark their campsite.
- I stuck a hook into the wall to hang up the painting.
- He stuck the screwdriver into the screw and tightened it.
3
to stay attached to something
- After the rain, the mud stuck to their shoes.
- The magnet made the metal objects stick to the refrigerator.
- The frosting made the sprinkles stick to the cupcakes.
- The static electricity made her hair stick to the balloon.
- The wet shirt stuck to her skin after swimming in the pool.
4
to place or position something
transitive
- The artist stuck a paintbrush behind his ear while he mixed colors.
- She stuck her hand in the cookie jar when no one was looking.
- He stuck a flower in his lapel as a fashion statement.
- She stuck the business card in her wallet for later.
- The student stuck a bookmark in the textbook to mark the page.
Antonyms:
5
to be burdened with something unpleasant or disadvantageous
- We're stuck dealing with these high utility bills.
- She's stuck with a lot of debt after the unexpected medical bills.
- We're stuck with this car that keeps breaking down.
- I'm stuck with a terrible internet connection in my area.
- I'm stuck handling a noisy neighbor.
Synonyms:
6
to project or extend in a particular direction
- Her foot stuck out from under the blanket, catching my attention.
- A single tooth was sticking down below his upper lip.
- The tag is sticking up from the back of your shirt.
- The antenna stuck out from the side of the building.
- One branch was sticking sideways, creating a hazard for pedestrians.
7
to firmly establish or be recognized as valid and convincing
- His argument didn't stick with the jury, and he was found guilty.
- Over time, the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving in November has stuck in American culture.
- They gave her the nickname "Giggles," and it has stuck ever since.
- After that incident, they started calling him "Lucky," and the name has stuck with him.
8
to closely follow or keep pace with someone or something, especially in a chase or competition
- The determined athlete managed to stick with the leading pack throughout the marathon.
- He managed to stick to the leader throughout the race.
- The detective had to stick with the suspect as he weaved through the crowded streets.
- She stuck close to her competitor during the entire tennis match.
9
to use a stick or similar object to hit or propel something, like a hockey puck
transitive
- He expertly stuck the puck into the opposing team's goal.
- The player managed to stick the ball into the net, scoring a point for his team.
- She practiced for hours to perfect her ability to stick the shuttlecock with precision.
- During the game, the hockey player managed to stick the puck past the goalie and score.
10
to stay in the same condition or make no further progress
- Their relationship had stuck at a standstill, with no sign of improvement.
- Despite numerous attempts, his savings had stuck at $5,000 for months.
- The project had stuck at the planning stage for over a year without any progress.
- Her weight had stuck at 150 pounds despite her efforts to lose more.
- The software development had stuck at the debugging phase for weeks.