clammy

[ klam-ee ]

adjective

, clam·mi·er, clam·mi·est.

1. covered with a cold, sticky moisture; cold and damp:

   clammy hands.

2. sickly; morbid:

   She had a clammy feeling that something was wrong at home.

clammy

/ ˈklæmɪ /

adjective

1. unpleasantly sticky; moist

   clammy hands

2. (of the weather, atmosphere, etc) close; humid

Derived Forms

• ˈclammily, adverb
• ˈclamminess, noun

Other Words From

• clammi·ly adverb
• clammi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clammy¹

1350–1400; Middle English, equivalent to Middle English clam sticky, cold and damp + -y -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of clammy¹

C14: from Old English clǣman to smear; related to Old Norse kleima, Old High German kleimen

Example Sentences

Writing in his column in The Sunday Times, the 64-year-old said he had symptoms of feeling "clammy", a "tightness" in his chest, and "pins and needles" in his left arm after returning from a holiday.

From BBC

According to the CDC, signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating; cold, pale and clammy skin; a fast, weak heart pulse; nausea or vomiting; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; dizziness; headache; and passing out.

From Los Angeles Times

Sweating ceases as blood flow to the skin stops, leaving it cold and clammy.

From BBC

“Pleased to meet you,” said Gower, extending a cold, clammy hand.

From Literature

Then, from Germany, the clammy nail-biter “The Teachers’ Lounge.”

From Seattle Times