Illustration of stick
- a lacrosse
- b ice hockey
- c field hockey
stick
1 of 4noun (1)
ˈstik 
1
: a woody piece or part of a tree or shrub: such as
a
: a usually dry or dead severed shoot, twig, or slender branch
b
: a cut or broken branch or piece of wood gathered for fuel or construction material
2
a
: a long slender piece of wood or metal: such as
(1)
: a club or staff used as a weapon
(2)
: walking stick
b
: an implement used for striking or propelling an object in a game
c
: something used to force compliance
d
: a baton symbolizing an office or dignity
also : a person entitled to bear such a baton
3
: a piece of the materials composing something (such as a building)
4
: any of various implements resembling a stick in shape, origin, or use: such as
a
: composing stick
b
: an airplane lever operating the elevators and ailerons
c
: the gearshift lever of an automobile
5
: something prepared (as by cutting, molding, or rolling) in a relatively long and slender often cylindrical form
a stick of candy
a stick of butter
6
a
: person, chap
b
: a dull, inert, stiff, or spiritless person
7
sticks plural : remote usually rural districts regarded especially as backward, dull, or unsophisticated : boondocks
8
: an herbaceous stalk resembling a woody stick
celery sticks
9
: mast entry 1 sense 1
also : yard entry 1 sense 4
10
: a piece of furniture
11
a
: a number of bombs arranged for release from a bombing plane in a series across a target
b
: a number of parachutists dropping together
12
slang : a marijuana cigarette
13
a
: punishment or the threat of punishment used to force compliance or cooperation
choosing between the carrot and the stick
b
British : criticism, abuse
sticklike
ˈstik-ˌlīk
adjective stick
2 of 4verb (1)
sticked; sticking; sticks
transitive verb
: to hit or propel (something, such as a hockey puck) with a stick
stick
3 of 4verb (2)
stuck ˈstək ; sticking
; sticking transitive verb
1
a
: to pierce with something pointed : stab
b
: to kill by piercing
2
: to push or thrust so as or as if to pierce
3
a
: to fasten by thrusting in
b
: impale
c
: push, thrust
4
: to put or set in a specified place or position
5
: to furnish with things fastened on by or as if by piercing
6
: to attach by or as if by causing to adhere to a surface
7
a
: to compel to pay especially by trickery
got stuck with the bar bill
b
: overcharge
8
a
: to halt the movement or action of
b
: baffle, stump
9
a
: cheat, defraud
b
: to saddle with something disadvantageous or disagreeable
is still stuck with that lousy car
10
: to execute (a landing) flawlessly in gymnastics
intransitive verb
1
: to hold to something firmly by or as if by adhesion:
a
: to become fixed in place by means of a pointed end
b
: to become fast by or as if by miring or by gluing or plastering
stuck in the mud
2
a
: to remain in a place, situation, or environment
b
: to hold fast or adhere resolutely : cling
she stuck to her story
c
: to remain effective
d
: to keep close in a chase or competition
3
: to become blocked, wedged, or jammed
4
a
: balk, scruple
b
: to find oneself baffled
c
: to be unable to proceed
5
: project, protrude
stick
4 of 4noun (2)
1
: a thrust with a pointed instrument : stab
2
a
: delay, stop
b
: impediment
3
: adhesive quality or substance
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- boondocks
- boonies [slang]
- country
- countryside
- nowhere
Verb (2)
- adhere
- cleave
- cling
- hew
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Trevor Hass, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Feb. 2023 The game was another measuring stick for the Stars, who have now faced four consecutive formidable opponents from the Metropolitan Division. —Dallas News, 17 Dec. 2022 Its controller is a flight stick similar to a Nintendo Wii controller and has squeezable triggers to propel forward. —Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 16 Dec. 2022 The first showdown was supposed to be a measuring stick as well. —Chris Fedor, cleveland, 25 Nov. 2022 England hasn’t won a World Cup since 1966, but the Three Lions will always be the USMNT’s measuring stick. —Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2022 This matchup will be a measuring stick for the progress made under second-year coach Josh Schertz. —Mike Carmin, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2022 This is the first measuring stick for success against the Jets, partly because quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion protocol) was playing so well, and partly because Bridgewater is a backup. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Oct. 2022 Was — a stick of stained spaghetti with two red ink spots for eyes. —David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Oct. 2022 Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 12 Feb. 2023 Issues run the gamut from soggy crust to overcooked chicken to coating that won’t stick. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2023 Most of those school bans didn’t stick, but even today, The Color Purple is still prohibited in all Texas state prisons. —Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 9 Feb. 2023 This glue can stick anything: wood, metal, ceramic, and tile or vinyl, leather, and fabric. —Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2023 For the easiest skinny French mani ever, simply stick these colorful stickers from Le Mini Macaron to the tippy-tips of your nails. —Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 Jan. 2023 With lackluster defense and no offensive rhythm, the Huskies didn’t give their home fans at the XL Center any reason to stick behind them in the second half of Sunday’s double-digit loss to St. John’s, as coach Dan Hurley expressed. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 17 Jan. 2023 Somewhat improbably, the two older men soon stick long-absent Art with embalming their dead neighbor, a process that must begin with removing the lethal knife still lodged in his sternum. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 9 Jan. 2023 Simply stick the pole in the bottom and secure the boat with a short line. —Ric Burnley, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023 See More
Noun
The Warriors are the measuring stick for the Tri-Valley League, but Westwood has reeled off nine straight wins. —Trevor Hass, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Feb. 2023 The game was another measuring stick for the Stars, who have now faced four consecutive formidable opponents from the Metropolitan Division. —Dallas News, 17 Dec. 2022 Its controller is a flight stick similar to a Nintendo Wii controller and has squeezable triggers to propel forward. —Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 16 Dec. 2022 The first showdown was supposed to be a measuring stick as well. —Chris Fedor, cleveland, 25 Nov. 2022 England hasn’t won a World Cup since 1966, but the Three Lions will always be the USMNT’s measuring stick. —Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2022 This matchup will be a measuring stick for the progress made under second-year coach Josh Schertz. —Mike Carmin, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2022 This is the first measuring stick for success against the Jets, partly because quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion protocol) was playing so well, and partly because Bridgewater is a backup. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Oct. 2022 Was — a stick of stained spaghetti with two red ink spots for eyes. —David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Oct. 2022 Verb
Only time will tell if this apparent breakup will stick. —Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 12 Feb. 2023 Issues run the gamut from soggy crust to overcooked chicken to coating that won’t stick. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2023 Most of those school bans didn’t stick, but even today, The Color Purple is still prohibited in all Texas state prisons. —Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 9 Feb. 2023 This glue can stick anything: wood, metal, ceramic, and tile or vinyl, leather, and fabric. —Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2023 For the easiest skinny French mani ever, simply stick these colorful stickers from Le Mini Macaron to the tippy-tips of your nails. —Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 Jan. 2023 With lackluster defense and no offensive rhythm, the Huskies didn’t give their home fans at the XL Center any reason to stick behind them in the second half of Sunday’s double-digit loss to St. John’s, as coach Dan Hurley expressed. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 17 Jan. 2023 Somewhat improbably, the two older men soon stick long-absent Art with embalming their dead neighbor, a process that must begin with removing the lethal knife still lodged in his sternum. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 9 Jan. 2023 Simply stick the pole in the bottom and secure the boat with a short line. —Ric Burnley, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English stik, from Old English sticca; akin to Old Norse stik stick, Old English stician to stick
Verb (2)
Middle English stikken, from Old English stician; akin to Old High German sticken to prick, Latin instigare to urge on, goad, Greek stizein to tattoo
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
1937, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun (2)
1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing stick
Kids Definition
stick
1 of 2 noun ˈstik
1
: a cut or broken branch of twig especially when dry and dead
2
: a long slender piece of wood or metal: as
a
: a club or staff used as a weapon
b
: walking stick sense 1
3
: something used for striking or moving an object in a game
4
: something like a stick in shape or use
a stick of dynamite
5
: something prepared in a long and slender form
carrot sticks
a stick of butter
6
: a person who is dull or lifeless
7
plural : remote usually rural districts
way out in the sticks
stick
2 of 2 verb stuck
ˈstək
; sticking 1
a
: to stab with something pointed : pierce
b
: to kill by piercing
2
: to cause to penetrate
stuck a needle in my finger
3
a
: to fasten by pushing in : attach
stuck a flower in my buttonhole
b
: to push out, up, or under
stuck out my hand
4
: to put or set in a specified place or position
stuck the cap on my head
5
: to cling to a surface
snowflakes stuck on the windowpane
6
a
: to bring to a halt : prevent the movement or action of
the car got stuck in traffic
b
: baffle entry 1 sense 1, stump
got stuck on the first problem
7
a
: cheat entry 1 sense 1, defraud
b
: to burden with something disagreeable
stuck with the job of cleaning up
8
: to become fixed in place by or as if by gluing
his foot stuck in the mud
9
a
: to remain in a place, situation, or environment
decided to stick where he was
b
: to hold to something tightly : cling
she stuck to her story
10
: to become blocked or jammed
the desk drawer always sticks
11
: to be unable to proceed (as through fear or conscience)
stick 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion those magnets are strong enough to stick to the refrigerator without any problems Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- adhere
- cling
- glue
- hew
- cleave
- bind
- fuse
- fasten
- cohere
- unite
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- drop
- loosen
- fall
2
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position you can stick that box in the corner until I figure out where to put everything Synonyms & Similar Words
- put
- place
- situate
- position
- lay
- locate
- deposit
- set
- dispose
- fix
- set up
- slap
- park
- move
- depose
- emplace
- lock
- plant
- establish
- carry
- shift
- orient
- plop
- rearrange
- clap
- plank
- plunk
- plump
- reorder
- collect
- assemble
- affix
- wedge
- niche
- flop
- settle
- plunk down
- anchor
- plonk
- line up
- ensconce
- lay out
- set down
- queue
- lodge
- rank
- array
- berth
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- remove
- take
- relocate
- replace
- dislodge
- supersede
- displace
- banish
- supplant
3
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object could hardly feel the needle when the nurse stuck my arm with it Synonyms & Similar Words
- stab
- pick
- pierce
- puncture
- jab
- spit
- poke
- peck
- spear
- pink
- skewer
- harpoon
- spike
- lance
- punch
- impale
- slice
- gore
- run through
- transfix
- transpierce
- cut
- knife
- perforate
- spindle
- pike
- bayonet
- thrust
- prick
- quill
- prong
- riddle
- dirk
- poniard
- gimlet
- pinprick
4
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats she got stuck by an unscrupulous seller while using the online auction site Synonyms & Similar Words
- squeeze
- pluck
- cheat
- screw
- do
- sting
- beat
- hustle
- sucker
- short
- trick
- bleed
- stiff
- fiddle
- chisel
- shake down
- skin
- deceive
- diddle
- ream
- gaff
- shortchange
- victimize
- rip off
- hose
- fleece
- con
- swindle
- nobble
- defraud
- rook
- fool
- take for a ride
- betray
- mulct
- skunk
- bilk
- exploit
- thimblerig
- wrench
- euchre
- chouse
- take to the cleaners
- cozen
- clip
- gouge
- sell a bill of goods to
- flimflam
- nick
- extort
- soak
- milk
- do in
- wring
- wrest
- bitch
- dupe
- overcharge
- gull
- bamboozle
- double-cross
- rope (in)
- fast-talk
stick
2 of 2noun
1
as in finger
Synonyms & Similar Words
- finger
- patty
- fritter
- cutlet
- cake
- croquette
- pattie
- galette
- gâteau
- gateau
2
as in clam
Synonyms & Similar Words
- clam
- icicle
- iceberg
- wallflower
- cold turkey
- snot
- snob
- cold fish
- stuffed shirt
- prig
- snoot
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dear
- sweetie
- sweetheart
3
as in pile
Synonyms & Similar Words
- pile
- stake
- beam
- brace
- stave
- wood
- sill
- splint
- post
- ridgepole
- block
- lumber
- timber
- billet
- bar
- firewood
- cordwood
4
as in push
Synonyms & Similar Words
- push
- shove
- stab
- punch
- poke
- dig
- jab
- nudge
- jam
- jerk
- dab
- lunge
- jog
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of stick are adhere, cleave, cling, and cohere. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.
couldn't get the label to stick
While in some cases nearly identical to stick, adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.
antibodies adhering to a virus
While the synonyms cleave and stick are close in meaning, cleave stresses strength of attachment.
the wet shirt cleaved to his back
The meanings of cling and stick largely overlap; however, cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.
clinging to a capsized boat
In some situations, the words cohere and stick are roughly equivalent. However, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.
eggs will make the mixture cohere