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Sticky vs Cling - What's the difference?

sticky | cling |

As nouns the difference between sticky and cling

is that sticky is a sticky note, such as a post-it note while cling is fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.

As verbs the difference between sticky and cling

is that sticky is (internet|bulletin boards) to fix a thread at the top of the list of topics or threads so as to keep it in view while cling is (senseid)to hold very tightly, as to not fall off.

As an adjective sticky

is able or likely to stick.

sticky

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Able or likely to stick.
    • Is this tape sticky enough to stay on that surface?
  • Potentially difficult to escape from.
    • This is a sticky situation. We could be in this for weeks if we're not careful.
  • * 2014 , Michael White, " Roll up, roll up! The Amazing Salmond will show a Scotland you won't believe", The Guardian , 8 September 2014:
    • Salmond studied medieval Scottish history as well as economics at university so he cannot say he has not had fair warning – it was even more turbulent and bloody than England at that time – and plenty of Scotland's kings and leaders came to a sticky end.
  • (computing, informal, of a setting) Persistent.
    • We should make the printing direction sticky so the user doesn't have to keep setting it.
  • (computing, of a window) Appearing on all virtual desktops.
  • (Internet, of threads on a bulletin board) Fixed at the top of the list of topics or threads so as to keep it in view.
  • (Internet, of a website) Compelling enough to keep visitors from leaving.
    • A woman has come to me with the complaint that her website is not "sticky" - 70% of the visits last 30 seconds or less.
  • Of weather, hot and windless and with high humidity, so that people feel sticky from sweating.

    • Derived terms

    * stickily * stickiness * sticky-backed plastic * sticky bit * sticky fingers * sticky wicket * sticky note

    See also

    * tacky

    Noun

    (stickies)
  • A sticky note, such as a post-it note.
    • Her desk is covered with yellow stickies .
  • (manufacturing) A small adhesive particle found in wastepaper.
  • A sweet dessert wine.

    • Verb

  • (Internet, bulletin boards) to fix a thread at the top of the list of topics or threads so as to keep it in view.

    • cling

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.
  • * 1908 , , Hostages to Momus :
    • Antelope steaks and fried liver to begin on, and venison cutlets with chili con carne and pineapple fritters, and then some sardines and mixed pickles; and top it off with a can of yellow clings and a bottle of beer.
  • adherence; attachment; devotion
  • * Milton
    • A more tenacious cling to worldly respects.

    Verb

  • (senseid)To hold very tightly, as to not fall off.
    • Seaweed clung to the anchor.
  • * Mrs. Hemans
    • And what hath life for thee / That thou shouldst cling to it thus?
  • To adhere to an object, without being affixed, in such a way as to follow its contours. Used especially of fabrics and films.
  • To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or embracing.
  • * Jonathan Swift
    • I clung legs as close to his side as I could.
  • To cause to dry up or wither.
  • * Shakespeare
    • If thou speak'st false, / Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive, / Till famine cling thee.
  • (figurative, with preposition to) to be fond of, to feel strongly about

    • Derived terms

    * cling film / clingfilm

    References

    * * * Notes: English irregular verbs