glue

[ gloo ]

noun

1. a hard, impure, protein gelatin, obtained by boiling skins, hoofs, and other animal substances in water, that when melted or diluted is a strong adhesive.
2. any of various solutions or preparations of this substance, used as an adhesive.
3. any of various other solutions or preparations that can be used as adhesives.

verb (used with object)

, glued, glu·ing.

1. to join or fasten with glue.

   Synonyms: plaster, cement, stick, gum, paste

2. to cover or smear (something) with glue (sometimes followed by up ).
3. to fix or attach firmly with or as if with glue; make adhere closely:

   to glue a model ship together.

glue

/ ɡluː /

noun

1. any natural or synthetic adhesive, esp a sticky gelatinous substance prepared by boiling animal products such as bones, skin, and horns
2. any other sticky or adhesive substance

verb

1. tr to join or stick together with or as if with glue

Derived Forms

• ˈgluer, noun
• ˈglueˌlike, adjective
• ˈgluey, adjective

Other Words From

• gluelike adjective
• gluer noun
• re·glue verb (used with object) reglued regluing

Word History and Origins

Origin of glue¹

1300–50; (noun) Middle English glu, gleu < Old French glu < Latin glūt- (stem of glūs ); cognate with Greek gloiós gum, anything sticky; (v.) Middle English glywen, glewen, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of glue¹

C14: from Old French glu, from Late Latin glūs; compare Greek gloios

Example Sentences

“The only glue holding that coalition together was anti-Republicanism.”

From BBC

Once that glue came unstuck, he said, the party was ripe for defeat.

From BBC

Both players became glue guys on a team that, while lacking one overarching leader, bonded by getting contributions from across the roster.

From Los Angeles Times

Named LignoSat, after the Latin word for wood, its panels have been built from a type of magnolia tree, using a traditional technique without screws or glue.

From BBC

During the team’s World Series victory rally at Dodger Stadium on Friday, manager Dave Roberts referred to Rojas as “the glue to our ballclub.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cement
• paste
• plaster