sticky
UK: ˈstɪki | US: ˈstɪki
adj. having a glue-like quality; tending to adhere
adj. (informal) difficult or awkward to handle
adj. (computing) designed to remain visible or fixed in place
The word "sticky" derives from the Old English "stician" (to pierce, adhere), evolving into "stick" (to cling or attach). The suffix "-y" transforms the noun/verb into an adjective, denoting the quality of adhesion. Over time, "sticky" expanded metaphorically to describe challenging situations ("sticky problem") and digital interfaces ("sticky note"). The logic follows a physical-to-abstract progression: adhesion → persistence → difficulty.
The tape became sticky after exposure to heat.
He found himself in a sticky situation with his boss.
The website uses sticky headers for easy navigation.
Her fingers were sticky from the melted candy.
Negotiations reached a sticky point over budget disagreements.