stick

I UK [stɪk] / US verb
Word forms "stick":
present tense I/you/we/they stick he/she/it sticks present participle sticking past tense stuck UK [stʌk] / US past participle stuck
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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

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.

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.

2)

a) [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?

b) [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.

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.

See:

boot I

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.

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.

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.

7) [intransitive] to decide that you do not want any more cards in some card games

Are you sticking?

•

stick in your mind/memory — if something sticks in your mind, you do not forget it easily

One thing he told me always sticks in my mind.

- someone can stick something

- can't stick

- make something stick

- stick at nothing

- stick in your throat

Phrasal verbs:

- stick around

- stick at

- stick by

- stick down

- stick on

- stick out

- stick out for

- stick to

- stick together

- stick up

- stick up for

- stick with

See:

sore I

II UK [stɪk] / US noun
Word forms "stick":
singular stick plural sticks
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1) [countable] a thin piece of wood that has been broken or cut from a tree

I went out to find some sticks for a fire.

a) a long strong piece of wood, usually with a handle at the top, that you use to help you to walk

b) a long thin piece of wood used as a weapon or for making an animal move in the direction you want it to

c) a long thin piece of wood used for hitting or carrying something in a sport

a hockey stick

d) a small thin piece of wood or plastic used for a particular purpose

an ice lolly stick

e) a baton used by a conductor to direct an orchestra

2)

a) [countable] a long thin piece of something

a stick of celery

b) an amount of a solid substance in a container that you push at the bottom so that a small amount comes out of the top

a stick of glue

••

See:

French stick

3)

a) [countable] mainly American informal a gear lever

b) mainly American informal a joystick

4) [uncountable] British informal criticism

give someone stick (for something):

They gave me a lot of stick for missing such an easy shot.

get/take stick (from someone):

We're taking a lot of stick for our decision.

•

a stick of butter/margarine — American a long thin piece of butter or margarine that you buy from a shop

- old stick

- a stick of furniture

- a stick to beat someone with

- up sticks

See:

wrong I