stick
stick — verb
1. to make one thing stay attached to another using glue, tape, or another sticky s
to make one thing stay attached to another using glue, tape, or another sticky substance, or to become attached in this way
Keiko stuck the poster onto her bedroom wall with blue tape.
stick + object + onto + surface
The label will not stick to the plastic jar because it is too oily.
stick to [surface] — intransitive
Tomas used strong glue to stick the broken handle back onto the mug.
Fatima carefully stuck the stamp onto the corner of the envelope.
The wet pages of the book stuck together after water spilled on them.
intransitive: stick together
- stick + to + surface
- stick + onto + wall/paper/envelope
- stick + together
- stick + with + glue/tape
- detach
To separate something that was stuck or fastened
Grammar Patterns
stick + object + to/onto + surface
stick + to + surface
stick + together
Usage Note
Can be used transitively (stick A to B) or intransitively (A sticks to B). The intransitive form often describes the result of a failed or successful attachment.
Common Mistakes
2. If a name, a way of thinking, or something you recall sticks, people keep using
If a name, a way of thinking, or something you recall sticks, people keep using it or thinking about it over many years — a childhood nickname that never goes away is one example
The nickname 'Shorty' stuck with him all through high school.
stick with [person] — persist over time
That song's chorus stuck in Aisha's head for days after the concert.
stick in someone's head/memory
The teacher's warning about plagiarism stuck with Bjorn throughout his college years.
A few key lines from the speech stuck in the audience's minds long afterward.
- stick + with + someone
- stick + in + someone's mind/head/memory
- fade
To gradually disappear from memory or use
Grammar Patterns
stick + with + person
stick + in + mind/head
Usage Note
Subject is usually an abstract noun (name, nickname, tune, phrase, idea, warning). Often followed by 'with + person' or 'in + head/memory'. Distinguish from sense 1 (ATTACH), which involves physical adhesion.
3. to place an item somewhere in a hurried or untidy manner, without arranging it n
to place an item somewhere in a hurried or untidy manner, without arranging it neatly
Olga stuck her keys in her bag and ran out the door.
informal: stick [object] in [location]
Hiroshi just stuck the letter under a pile of books on his desk.
Surya stuck the receipt into his pocket without even looking at it.
Mei-Lin stuck the old photo behind the clock on the shelf.
Javier stuck the invoice in a drawer and forgot about it completely.
informal register — careless placement
- stick + in + bag/pocket/drawer
- stick + under + pile/stack
- stick + behind + clock/shelf
- arrange
To put things in a neat or organized way
Grammar Patterns
stick + object + preposition + location
Usage Note
Common in informal spoken English. The object is always the item being placed, followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the location. Do not use in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
4. used in angry or rude language when you reject something someone is offering you
used in angry or rude language when you reject something someone is offering you and want to make clear you have no interest in it
When Anita saw the low pay offer, she told her boss he could stick the job.
rude refusal pattern: can stick + object
Dmitri said the company could stick its bonus after all the overtime they demanded.
Ling told them to stick their contract — she was not going to sign it.
The customer angrily told the manager where he could stick his refund.
pattern: tell [someone] where to stick [something]
- can stick + it/your + offer/job/contract/bonus
- tell + person + where to stick + thing
Grammar Patterns
can stick + object (you can stick your job)
tell + person + where to stick + object
Usage Note
Highly impolite. Used only in informal angry speech. The pattern 'tell someone where they can stick something' is a fixed, emphatic way to reject an offer. Do not use in any polite or professional context.
5. to thrust a sharp item like a needle, pin, or thorn so that it penetrates a surf
to thrust a sharp item like a needle, pin, or thorn so that it penetrates a surface and stays lodged, or for such an item to enter and remain in a material or body part
Theo carefully stuck the needle into the fabric to sew the button back on.
stick + needle/pointed object + into [material]
Dr. Okafor stuck the syringe into the rubber top of the medicine bottle.
A long thorn stuck into Kai's finger when he reached for the rose bush.
intransitive: stick into [body part]
The nurse stuck the pin through the paper to keep the documents together.
stick + pin + through [object]
Zara screamed when a piece of glass stuck into her foot on the beach.
- stick + needle/pin/thorn/syringe + into + skin/fabric/finger
- stick + through + paper/cloth
- withdraw
To pull a pointed object back out
Grammar Patterns
stick + sharp object + into/through + material/body part
stick + into + body part (intransitive)
Usage Note
Both transitive (someone sticks an object into something) and intransitive (a pointed object sticks into something) are common. In the intransitive form, the subject is the sharp object, not the person.
Common Mistakes
6. In card games such as blackjack, to choose not to receive any more cards and kee
In card games such as blackjack, to choose not to receive any more cards and keep the hand you already have
Arun looked at his cards and decided to stick with seventeen.
stick (card games) — choose not to take more cards
The dealer asked Lena if she wanted another card, but she chose to stick.
With a total of nineteen points, Amir thought it was safest to stick.
Two players took extra cards while the rest decided to stick with their hands.
- stick + with + number/points/hand
- decided to stick
- chose to stick
Grammar Patterns
stick (no object)
stick + at/with + number/points
Usage Note
Narrow domain-specific sense used mainly in blackjack and similar card games. The opposite of 'stick' in this context is 'twist' or 'hit' (take another card). Distinguish from sense 3 (STUFF) and sense 2 (PERSIST), which are far more common.
7. to keep dealing with a person, job, or situation that is difficult or annoying,
to keep dealing with a person, job, or situation that is difficult or annoying, without leaving or complaining about it
Apinya finally decided she could not stick the two-hour commute to work anymore.
cannot stick + long noun phrase (the commute)
The new office manager is so rude that several staff say they cannot stick working with her.
cannot stick + -ing form (working with her)
Élise does not understand how Mateo sticks the constant drilling noise from the building site each day.
Mizuki has never been able to stick a nine-to-five desk job for more than a year.
negative pattern: never been able to stick + noun phrase
Some residents cannot stick the noise and crowds during the summer festival and choose to leave town.
- cannot/can't stick
- can't stick it
- cannot stick it
- never been able to stick
- stick + noun phrase
- stick + -ing form
- tolerate
more formal; neutral register, works in all sentence types
- put up with
same informal register, but naturally used in affirmative statements
- endure
more formal; suggests greater difficulty or suffering
- bear
more formal; commonly used with can/could in questions and negatives
Grammar Patterns
cannot/can't stick + noun phrase
cannot/can't stick + -ing form
how + subject + stick + noun phrase
Usage Note
Most common in negative sentences (cannot/can't stick) and questions. Rarely used in affirmative present simple statements ('I stick it'). The phrasal verb 'stick it out' is a related expression meaning to endure a difficult situation until the end.
Common Mistakes
stick around
phrasal verbTo stay in a place or wait for something.
Sara decided to stick around after the party to help clean up.
Will you stick around until the manager arrives?
stick at
phrasal verbTo continue working hard at something despite difficulties.
Brian stuck at his math homework until he finished it.
Did you stick at the training program even when it got tough?
stick by
phrasal verbTo continue to support someone in a difficult situation.
Aiden stuck by his friend through the entire legal battle.
Will your family stick by you if you make a big mistake?
stick down
phrasal verbTo write something quickly or in a temporary place.
Maya stuck down her phone number on a napkin for the waiter.
Did you stick down the appointment time in your calendar?
stick it out
phrasal verbTo continue doing something difficult or unpleasant until it is finished.
Despite the rain, the hikers stuck it out until they reached the summit.
Will you stick it out in this job until you find a better one?
stick out
phrasal verbTo be noticeable or to extend beyond a surface.
A loose nail stuck out from the wooden bench and caught her dress.
Does your elbow stick out when you write?
stick out for
phrasal verbTo demand something and refuse to accept less.
The workers stuck out for better pay and shorter hours.
Did the seller stick out for a higher price during the negotiation?
stick to
phrasal verbTo continue doing or using something without changing.
Sara stuck to her exercise routine even on vacation.
Will you stick to the plan if unexpected problems arise?
stick together
phrasal verbTo stay united and support each other.
The team stuck together through the difficult season.
Did the family stick together after the tragedy?
stick up
phrasal verbTo point upward or to rob someone using a weapon.
The cat's fur stuck up when it saw the dog.
Did the robber stick up the convenience store last night?
stick up for
phrasal verbTo defend or support someone or something when they are being criticized.
Maya always sticks up for her little brother when he is bullied.
Will you stick up for your beliefs even if others laugh at you?
stick with
phrasal verbTo continue using or doing something, or to stay close to someone.
Brian decided to stick with his original plan despite the doubts.
Did you stick with your friend during the crowded concert?
mud sticks
idiomPeople continue to believe negative things about someone even if they are proven false.
Even after the apology, the mud sticks and people still gossip.
Did the mud stick after the false rumor was corrected?
To attack someone cruelly, especially when they are already in a weak position.
After losing the match, the coach stuck the boot in with harsh criticism.
Why did the press put the boot in when the politician was already resigning?
To behave in a hostile way toward someone and try to harm them.
Maya stuck the knife in by revealing her colleague's mistake to the boss.
Did Diego really put the knife into his friend during the meeting?
To give an unwanted opinion or advice when it is not asked for.
Sara stuck her oar in while we were discussing our travel plans.
Why did you put your oar in when nobody asked for your opinion?
To make a rude gesture with two fingers to show anger or disrespect.
The driver stuck two fingers up at the cyclist who cut him off.
Did she put two fingers up at the referee after the unfair call?
To be very noticeable in an unpleasant or awkward way.
In his formal suit, Brian stuck out like a sore thumb at the beach party.
Does the new building stand out like a sore thumb among the old houses?
To be extremely obvious or easy to notice.
It stuck out a mile that Aiden was nervous during his speech.
Does her excitement stand out a mile when she talks about art?
To attack someone cruelly, especially when they are already in a weak position.
After losing the match, the coach stuck the boot in with harsh criticism.
Why did the press put the boot in when the politician was already resigning?
To be remembered for a long time.
That song's melody sticks in my head every time I hear it.
Did the teacher's advice stick in your mind after all these years?
To be difficult or impossible to say because of emotion or reluctance.
The apology stuck in his throat, but he finally said it.
Did the words stick in your craw when you had to admit you were wrong?
stick your neck out
idiomTo take a risk by saying or doing something that might be wrong or unpopular.
Maya stuck her neck out by defending the new policy at the meeting.
Would you stick your neck out to support a colleague in trouble?
To involve yourself in something that is not your concern.
Diego always sticks his nose into his neighbors' private affairs.
Why did you poke your nose into the argument between Sara and Brian?
To be very noticeable in an unpleasant or awkward way.
In his formal suit, Brian stuck out like a sore thumb at the beach party.
Does the new building stand out like a sore thumb among the old houses?
To be extremely obvious or easy to notice.
It stuck out a mile that Aiden was nervous during his speech.
Does her excitement stand out a mile when she talks about art?
stick to your guns
idiomTo refuse to change your opinion or decision despite pressure from others.
Despite the criticism, the scientist stuck to her guns about the research.
Will you stick to your guns when everyone disagrees with your plan?
To angrily reject an offer or suggestion, making it clear you are not interested.
When offered a low salary, Maya told them where to stick the job.
Did Diego tell his boss what he could do with the extra work?
stick — noun
1. a narrow length of wood that has come from a tree or bush, either by breaking of
a narrow length of wood that has come from a tree or bush, either by breaking off naturally or being cut for a particular use.
Bilal picked up a long stick from the ground to poke at the campfire.
The gardener used a short wooden stick to support the tomato plant.
collocation: wooden stick / garden stick
Kofi collected dry sticks from the forest floor to build a small shelter.
Élise found a fallen branch and broke it into smaller sticks for the fire.
countable: a stick / sticks
The dog ran after a stick that Hao threw across the park.
- wooden stick
- dry stick
- long stick
- short stick
- stick of wood
Usage Note
Often used with adjectives describing size or material, such as 'long', 'short', 'wooden', or 'metal'.
Common Mistakes
2. a long thin pole, often made of wood, that a person holds in their hand while wa
a long thin pole, often made of wood, that a person holds in their hand while walking to help keep their balance or support their weight.
Apinya leaned on her walking stick as she climbed the steep hill.
The elderly man tapped his stick on the pavement before crossing the road.
collocation: walking stick
Valentina bought a new wooden stick with a curved handle for her grandfather.
Hikers in the mountains often carry a sturdy stick to help them on rocky paths.
collocation: hiking stick / walking stick
- walking stick
- wooden stick
- to lean on a stick
- to use a stick
3. a long piece of wood or other material shaped for use in a sport, such as hittin
a long piece of wood or other material shaped for use in a sport, such as hitting, passing, or stopping a ball or puck.
Vivek passed the puck to his teammate with a quick swing of his hockey stick.
collocation: hockey stick
The coach handed each player a new lacrosse stick before the match began.
Jack broke his hockey stick during the final game and had to borrow one from a friend.
Defne cleaned her field hockey stick after every practice to keep it in good shape.
possessive: her hockey stick / their lacrosse sticks
- hockey stick
- lacrosse stick
- field hockey stick
- to swing a stick
- to pass with a stick
- bat
used in baseball, cricket, and table tennis rather than ice/field hockey
Usage Note
The specific sport is usually named before 'stick' (hockey stick, lacrosse stick, field hockey stick). 'Stick' alone can be ambiguous without context.
Common Mistakes
4. an item of food or other material that has been cut or formed into a narrow, rod
an item of food or other material that has been cut or formed into a narrow, rod-like shape for use or consumption.
Yael cut the celery into thin sticks and arranged them on a plate.
collocation: celery sticks / carrot sticks
The chef melted a stick of butter in the pan before adding the onions.
collocation: stick of butter
Defne handed each child a stick of chewing gum after lunch.
Caleb bought a stick of French bread from the bakery on his way home.
countable: a stick of [substance]
The teacher used a stick of chalk to write new vocabulary on the board.
- stick of butter
- stick of gum
- celery sticks
- carrot sticks
- bread sticks
- stick of chalk
- strip
usually flatter and wider than a stick; used for fabric, paper, or land
Usage Note
Common with food nouns: 'celery sticks', 'carrot sticks', 'bread sticks', 'a stick of butter/gum/chalk'. The substance must be something that naturally forms or is cut into a long thin shape.
Common Mistakes
5. a car that has a manual transmission system, meaning the driver changes gear usi
a car that has a manual transmission system, meaning the driver changes gear using a hand-operated lever rather than an automatic system.
Christopher learned to drive on a stick and still prefers manual cars.
informal American: 'drive a stick'
Cole traded in his automatic for a used stick because it was cheaper.
The driving instructor asked whether the student wanted to learn on a stick or an automatic.
Eric rented a stick shift for his road trip through the mountains.
collocation: stick shift
- drive a stick
- stick shift
- stick car
- automatic
a car that changes gear by itself
Usage Note
This sense is primarily American English. In British English, a manual car is more commonly called 'a manual'. The full term 'stick shift' is also common.
6. a single item of furniture, such as a chair, table, or cabinet, usually consider
a single item of furniture, such as a chair, table, or cabinet, usually considered as one piece within a room or collection.
Benjamin bought a few sticks of furniture at the second-hand shop.
collocation: stick of furniture
The apartment came completely empty — not a single stick of furniture inside.
negative structure: 'not a single stick of furniture'
The old carpenter carved each stick of furniture by hand with great care.
The only stick of furniture in the room was a small wooden chair by the window.
- stick of furniture
- sticks of furniture
- piece
more common and neutral; 'a piece of furniture' is the standard expression
Usage Note
Almost always used in the phrase 'a stick of furniture' or 'sticks of furniture'. Rarely used alone. Commonly appears in negative or minimal contexts ('not a stick of furniture').
7. to strike someone or something hard with a long piece of wood, usually as a puni
to strike someone or something hard with a long piece of wood, usually as a punishment or to drive away an animal
The farmer stuck the wolf with a heavy branch when it came near the sheep.
stick + direct object + with + instrument
Grandfather told us teachers would stick naughty boys in his school days.
informal register: stick as punishment
The zookeeper grabbed a pole and stuck the lion to keep it from the crowd.
In the old village, a thief could be stuck with a wooden rod as punishment.
passive: be stuck with [instrument]
- stick someone with a branch
- stick someone with a pole
- stick someone as punishment
- stick an animal away
Grammar Patterns
stick + direct object
stick + direct object + with + noun phrase
Usage Note
This sense is informal and less common in modern speech. It typically describes physical punishment or defending against animals. The past tense is 'stuck'.
Common Mistakes
8. harsh negative comments directed at a person for something they have done wrong
harsh negative comments directed at a person for something they have done wrong
Devika got some stick from her boss for forgetting to send the report.
get stick from [someone] for [reason]
The football coach took a lot of stick after the team lost five straight games.
take a lot of stick + after/because of [event]
Students gave the new teacher some stick for giving homework over the holiday.
Tendai took plenty of stick from friends for wearing an old suit to the dance.
- get stick
- give someone stick
- take stick
- face stick
- receive stick
- praise
positive opposite — approval instead of criticism
Grammar Patterns
get stick
give someone stick
take stick
Usage Note
Always used in fixed phrases — 'get/give/take stick' — never as a standalone countable noun. The phrase 'take stick' means to receive criticism; 'give someone stick' means to criticize them.
Common Mistakes
9. a rural region located far from populated areas such as cities and large towns,
a rural region located far from populated areas such as cities and large towns, often lacking modern services
The Watanabe family lives out in the sticks, miles from the nearest grocery shop.
out in the sticks — fixed phrase for remoteness
After ten years in the city, Christopher moved to the sticks and opened a farm.
The band grew up in the sticks and drove three hours to reach every concert.
Lan struggled to get reliable internet out in the sticks where she spent her summers.
out in the sticks + modern-life contrast
- the sticks
- out in the sticks
- live in the sticks
- from the sticks
- back to the sticks
- boondocks
American informal slang; similar meaning, more dismissive
- backwoods
remote forested area; slightly more specific to wooded regions
- middle of nowhere
emphasizes isolation rather than rural character
Grammar Patterns
the sticks
out in the sticks
Usage Note
Almost always appears as 'the sticks' (plural) or in the phrase 'out in the sticks.' The singular 'a stick' never refers to a place. The expression often carries a slightly humorous or dismissive tone about rural simplicity.
Common Mistakes
carrot and stick
idioma system of motivating people by offering rewards for good behaviour and punishments for bad behaviour.
The school used a carrot and stick approach, giving prizes for good grades and extra homework for poor ones.
The manager's carrot and stick strategy offered bonuses for meeting targets but warnings for falling behind.
a stick in the mud
idioma person who is old-fashioned and does not enjoy new activities or changes in routine.
Hugo wanted to try skydiving, but his brother is such a stick in the mud and refused to join.
Don't be a stick in the mud — come dance with us at the party tonight!
to completely misunderstand a situation, statement, or someone's intentions.
When Bilal said he needed a lift, Yael got the wrong end of the stick and thought he wanted a new job.
The journalist got the wrong end of the stick and reported the story backwards.
a very large number or amount of something, often more than anyone could count or handle.
The farmer had more chickens than you could shake a stick at.
The museum has more paintings than you can shake a stick at.
a saying used to show that insults or negative words cannot cause physical harm and should not be taken seriously.
When the other kids teased him, Caleb repeated the old rhyme about sticks and stones.
The children chanted 'sticks and stones' after being called names on the playground.
Word family
- stickyadjectiveA2
- stickernounA2
- stickinessnounB2
- stickingadjectiveB2
- stickilyadverbC1
- unstickverbC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All five words describe making one thing stay fastened to another, but they differ in method and register. 'Stick' is the most versatile and informal — you can stick a poster with tape, stick a stamp with moisture, or stick two pieces of paper with glue. 'Glue' is more specific: it always involves actual glue, not tape or paste ('She glued the broken vase back together'). 'Attach' is the most formal and general; it works for any method of fastening including screws, clips, or magnets ('Attach the form to your email'). 'Fix' suggests permanence or firmness ('He fixed the shelf to the wall with heavy bolts'), while 'adhere' is a technical or formal term that focuses on the chemical or physical bond itself ('The coating adheres to the metal surface'). In everyday speech, 'stick' is the best choice for most situations. Use 'attach' in official or professional writing. Use 'glue' only when the method is specifically glue. Use 'adhere' in scientific or instructional contexts.
Common collocations
Etymology
The noun 'stick' comes from Old English 'sticca' (a twig or thin piece of wood), from Proto-Germanic '*stik-' (pointed object). The verb 'stick' has a separate but related origin: Old English 'stician' (to pierce, remain fixed, or attach), from Proto-Germanic '*stikōną'. Both trace further back to the Proto-Indo-European root '*steyg-' (to prick or pierce), which also gave rise to related words across other Germanic and Indo-European languages. The two branches — the physical object (noun) and the action of piercing or adhering (verb) — have historically influenced each other, so that modern English 'stick' carries both the concrete and abstract senses under one word.