stick2

Pronunciation: /stɪk/

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Definition of stick

verb (past and past participle stuck /stʌk/)

1 [with object] (stick something in/into/through) push a sharp or pointed object into or through (something):he stuck his fork into the sausage she stuck her finger in his eye
(stick something on) fix something on (a point or pointed object):stick the balls of wool on knitting needles
[no object] (stick in/into/through) (of a pointed object) be or remain fixed with its point embedded in (something):there was a slim rod sticking into the ground beside me
stab or pierce with a sharp object: (as adjective stuck)he screamed like a stuck pig

2 [with object and adverbial] insert, thrust, or push:a youth with a cigarette stuck behind one ear she stuck out her tongue at him
[no object, with adverbial of direction] protrude or extend in a certain direction:his front teeth stick out Sue’s hair was sticking up at all angles
[with object and adverbial of place] put somewhere, typically in a quick or careless way:just stick that sandwich on my desk
informal used to express angry dismissal:he told them they could stick the job—he didn’t want it anyway
informal cause to incur an expense or loss:she stuck me for last month’s rent

3 [no object] adhere or cling to something:the plastic seats stuck to my skin if you heat the noodles in the microwave, they tend to stick together
[with object and adverbial of place] fasten or cause to adhere to something:she stuck the stamp on the envelope
informal be or become convincing, established, or regarded as valid:the authorities couldn’t make the charges stick the name stuck and Anastasia she remained
(in pontoon and similar card games) decline to add to one’s hand.

4 (be/get stuck) be fixed in a particular position or unable to move or be moved:Sara tried to open the window but it was stuck we got stuck in a traffic jam the cat’s stuck up a tree
[no object] be or become fixed or jammed as a result of an obstruction:he drove into a bog, where his wheels stuck fast
(be/get stuck) be unable to progress with a task or find the answer or solution to something:I’m doing the crossword and I’ve got stuck
[no object] remain in a static condition; fail to progress:he lost a lot of weight but had stuck at 15 stone
[with adverbial of place] (be stuck) informal be or remain in a specified place or situation, typically one perceived as tedious or unpleasant:I don’t want to be stuck in an office all my life
(be stuck for) be at a loss for or in need of:I’m not usually stuck for words
(be stuck with) informal be unable to get rid of or escape from:like it or not, she and Grant were stuck with each other
(be stuck on) informal be infatuated with:he’s too good for Jenny, even though she’s so stuck on him

5 [often with negative] British informal accept or tolerate (an unpleasant or unwelcome person or situation):I can’t stick Geoffrey—he’s a real old misery
(stick it out) informal put up with or persevere with something difficult or disagreeable: I decided to stick it out for another couple of years

Phrases

get stuck in (or into): British informal start doing (something) with enthusiasm or determination:we got stuck into the decorating
stick at nothing: allow nothing to deter one from achieving one’s aim, however wrong or dishonest:he would stick at nothing to preserve his privileges
stick 'em up!: informal hands up! (spoken by a person threatening someone else with a gun).
stick in one's mind (or memory): be remembered clearly and for a long time:one particular incident sticks in my mind
stick in one's throat (or craw): (of words) be difficult or impossible to say: she couldn’t say ‘Thank you’—the words stuck in her throat; be difficult or impossible to accept:the thing that sticks in your throat is that we were successful and you weren’t
stick it to: informal, chiefly North American treat harshly or severely.
stick one (or it) on: British informal hit (someone).
stick one's neck out: informal risk incurring criticism or anger by acting or speaking boldly.
stick out a mile: see mile.
stick out like a sore thumb: see sore.
stick to one's guns: see gun.
stick to one's ribs: (of food) be filling and nourishing:a bowl of soup that will stick to your ribs

Phrasal Verbs

stick around: informal remain in or near a place:I’d like to stick around and watch the game
stick at: informal persevere with (a task or endeavour) in a determined way: I’m the type to stick at something even if it gets on top of me
stick by
stick something on: informal place the blame for a mistake or wrongdoing on (someone).
stick out: be extremely noticeable:many important things had happened to him, but one stuck out
stick out for: refuse to accept less than (what one has asked for):they offered him a Rover but Vic stuck out for a Jaguar
stick to
stick together: informal remain united or mutually loyal:we Europeans must stick together
stick someone/thing up: informal, chiefly North American rob someone or something at gunpoint: they had served time for sticking up a store in Akron, Ohio
stick up for: support or defend (a person or cause): they pick on her and she won’t stick up for herself
stick with

Origin:

Old English stician, of Germanic origin; related to German sticken 'embroider', from an Indo-European root shared by Greek stizein 'to prick', stigma 'a mark' and Latin instigare 'spur on'. Early senses included 'pierce' and 'remain fixed (by its embedded pointed end')

stick in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of stick in the US English dictionary

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stick2

verb (past and past participle stuck /stʌk/)

Phrases

get stuck in (or into)

stick at nothing

stick 'em up!

stick in one's mind (or memory)

stick in one's throat (or craw)

stick it to

stick one (or it) on

stick one's neck out

stick out a mile

stick out like a sore thumb

stick to one's guns

stick to one's ribs

Phrasal Verbs

stick around

stick at

stick by

stick something on

stick out

stick out for

stick to

stick together

stick someone/thing up

stick up for

stick with

Origin:

stick in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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