Definition of “stick” - English Dictionary

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“stick” in English

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sticknoun

uk ​ /stɪk/ us ​ /stɪk/

stick noun (THIN PIECE)

B1 [ C ] a thin piece of wood or other material:

The old man was carrying a load of sticks.
Police said that the child had been beaten with a stick.
Find some dry sticks and we'll make a campfire.
A lollipop is a sweet on a stick.

B1 [ C ] mainly UK US usually cane a long, thin wooden pole that especially old or injured people use to help them walk:

a walking stick
At 84 he's still quite active, although he walks with the aid of a stick.

B1 [ C ] a long, thin piece of wood used in playing various sports:

a hockey/lacrosse/polo stick

› [ C ] a long, thin piece of something:

carrot/bread sticks
a stick of celery/rhubarb/chewing gum/chalk/dynamite

› [ C ] US a car with a stick shift:

Do you drive a stick?
stick of furniture

› informal a piece of furniture:

When they got married, they didn't have a stick of furniture.
take a stick to sb/sth

› to hit someone or something with a long, thin piece of wood:

He said that when he was a boy, his father used to take a stick to him to punish him.

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stick noun (COUNTRYSIDE)

the sticks [ plural ] informal disapproving

› an area in the countryside that is far from a town or city:

I'm sick of living in the sticks.
They live out in the sticks somewhere.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

a stick to beat sb with
sticks and stones may break my bones, (but words can never hurt me)
up sticks

stickverb

uk ​ /stɪk/ us ​ /stɪk/ stuck, stuck

stick verb (FIX)

B1 [ I or T ] to cause something to become fixed, for example with glue or another similar substance:

I tried to stick the pieces together with some glue/tape.
He stuck up an announcement on the board with pins.
This glue won't stick.
My car's stuck in the mud.
Stir the sauce so that it doesn't stick to the pan.
My book got wet and all the pages have stuck together.
Compare
non-stick
stuck adjective

› [ I ] If a name sticks, it continues to be used:

Although her name is Clare, her little sister called her Lali, and somehow the name stuck.

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stick verb (PUT)

› informal to put something somewhere, especially in a not very careful way:

"Where shall I put these books?" "Oh, just stick them on the table for now."
She stuck her fingers in her ears so that she couldn't hear the noise.
I'll pay for lunch - I can stick it on my expenses.

› [ T usually + adv/prep ] offensive If you tell someone to stick something or where they can stick something, it means that you do not want to keep that thing:

"I've had enough of working here," she said, "You can stick your job!"

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stick verb (PUSH INTO)

B2 [ I or T, usually + adv/prep ] to push a pointed object into or through something, or (of a pointed object) to be pushed into or through something and stay there:

She stuck the needle into my arm.
We decided where to go for our holiday by closing our eyes and sticking a pin in the map.
A thorn stuck in her finger.
The metal springs were sticking through the mattress.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

make sth stick
stick in sb's mind/head/memory
stick in sb's throat
stick in sb's craw
stick to sb like glue
stick to sb's ribs

Phrasal verb(s)

stick around
stick at sth
stick by sth/sb
stick out
stick (sth) out
stick it out
stick out for sth
stick to sth
stick together
stick up
stick sth/sb up
stick up for sth/sb
stick sb with sth
stick with sth/sb

(Definition of “stick” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“stick” in American English

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sticknoun [ C ]

us ​ /stɪk/

stick noun [ C ] (THIN PIECE)

› a thin piece of wood:

The campers collected sticks to start a fire.

› A stick is also a long, thin handle with a specially shaped end, used esp. to play hockey and lacrosse.

› A stick can also be a long, thin piece of something:

sticks of dynamite
a stick of chewing gum

stickverb

us ​ /stɪk/ past tense and past participle stuck /stʌk/

stick verb (PUSH INTO)

› [ always + adv/prep ] to push something pointed into or through something, or to be pushed into or through something:

[ T ] I simply cannot watch when someone sticks a needle in my arm.
[ I ] He throws the knife, and the blade sticks in the wall.

stick verb (ATTACH)

› [ I/T ] to attach or become attached:

[ T ] Stick the tape to the back of the picture.
[ I ] It was so hot that my clothes stuck to me.

stick verb (PUT)

› [ T always + adv/prep ] infml to put something somewhere, usually temporarily:

Stick the packages under the table for now.
stick out your tongue

› If you stick out your tongue, you push your tongue out of your mouth, usually as an insult:

She stuck her tongue out at him and smiled.
Note: This action is usually done by children.

stick verb (BE UNABLE TO MOVE)

› [ I ] to be fixed in position and unable to move:

The window sticks, making it hard to shut it.

Idiom(s)

something sticks in your mind
stick your neck out
stick to your guns

Phrasal verb(s)

stick something out
stick something up
stick someone with something
stick around
stick by someone/something
stick out
stick out (something)
stick to something
stick together
stick up
stick up for something/someone
stick with someone/something

(Definition of “stick” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“stick” in Business English

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stickverb [ I or T ]

uk ​ /stɪk/ us ​ stuck, stuck

› to fasten something somewhere, for example with glue:

stick sth on/onto sth Stick these labels on the top of the boxes.
stick sth up (with sth) He stuck up a notice on the board with pins.

› to stay at the same level or position for a long time:

stick/be stuck at sth The bank's main money market rate has been stuck at 4.50% for eight weeks.
The needle on the oil gauge keeps sticking.

(Definition of “stick” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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stick

If we can stick to what we have agreed we can then make the euro area even stronger, both internally and externally.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Although there is much to be said for this proposal, my group would prefer us to stick with the present rule.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Then we really can look at it again in the light of specific events and decide whether or not to stick with it.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
I therefore believe that we should stick to the compromise achieved between the various political groups and to the proposal backed by the majority.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Anyone with any sense would like to see this framework directive used as a big stick for those pursuing policies who are now failing in some way.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The stick of sanctions should not hit people, who often live in particularly harsh conditions and do not have the opportunity to oppose the regime.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We must, then, cost what it may, stick with the transition periods for the labour market in order – even if only to a limited extent – to alleviate these evils.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We believe the carrot of cooperation to be much more effective than the stick of clauses and conditionality in trade agreements.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We have to keep that in mind and stick to a more cool-headed, long-term approach and this is what we will do on the basis of the established common position.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
In any case, pedestrian safety is a priority for all of us and we will stick to the commitments we have made.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Translations of “stick”
 
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