stick
noun
Definitions of stick noun
material
- B1Countable
a thin piece of wood or other material
The elderly gentleman carried a bundle of twigs.
The police reported the child was hit with a wooden rod.
Gather some dry branches; let's start a campfire.
assistance
- B1Countable
a long, thin wooden pole that especially old or injured people use to help them walk
He supported himself with an elegant walking stick.
Though she needs the aid of a cane to walk, she remains active.
He leaned his walking stick against the wall before sitting down.
sports
- B1Countable
a long, thin piece of wood used in playing various sports
a hockey stick/lacrosse stick/polo stick
He used his stick to hit the ball towards the goal.
shape
- Countable
a long, thin piece of something
carrot sticks/breadsticks
a stick of celery/rhubarb/chewing gum/chalk/dynamite
She bought a bag of sea salt flavored potato sticks.
vehicle
- Countable
a car with a stick shift
Can you drive a car with a manual stick shift?
He prefers driving a stick shift for the feeling of greater control.
criticism
- Uncountableinformal
severe criticism
I received harsh criticism from my boss for being late to work again.
We teased him quite a bit for wearing that ridiculous hat.
They gave her some stick for her performance during the meeting.
Phrases of stick noun
- stick of furniture
An individual item of furniture.
• After moving into their new home, they started acquiring every stick of furniture.
- take a stick to someone/something
To strike a person or an object with a long, thin piece of wood.
• The farmer would take a stick to the cattle to guide them back to the barn.
- the sticks
A rural area far from a town or city, often implying remoteness or a lack of sophistication.
• Since they moved to the sticks, their internet signal is very poor.
verb
Definitions of stick verb
attach
- B1TransitiveIntransitive
to cause something to become fixed, for example with glue or another similar substance
I tried to adhere the broken pieces together using glue/tape.
He fastened the announcement to the bulletin board using pins.
This adhesive is not going to stick.
persist
- Intransitive
If a name sticks, it continues to be used.
Even though her name is Clare, her sister called her Lali, and somehow the name became permanent.
He initially tried to call him Matthew, but the name ‘Matt’ has already stuck.
place
- informal
to put something somewhere, especially in a not very careful way
"Where should I place these books?" "Oh, just put them on the table for now."
She covered her ears with her fingers to block out the noise.
I'll treat you to lunch—I can add it to my expenses.
reject
- TransitiveVerb + adv/prepoffensive
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 have more than enough work here," she stated, "You can keep your job!"
"If you don't like my opinion," he said, "then you can keep your opinions to yourself."
pierce
- B2TransitiveIntransitiveVerb + 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 inserted the needle into my arm.
We closed our eyes and determined where to take our vacation by sticking a pin into the map.
A thorn impaled her finger.
stop
- Intransitive
In some card games, if you stick, you say that you do not want to be given any more cards.
endure
- Transitiveinformal
to bear or accept something or someone unpleasant
I don't think I can tolerate this job any longer.
I don't know how you endure living in this type of place.
I can't bear to listen to his complaining any longer.
Idioms
- Sticks and stones may break my bones, (but words can never hurt me)
This idiom is used to express that one is unaffected by harsh or negative words spoken to them, suggesting that verbal insults are inconsequential.
• When the children were teasing each other on the playground, the teacher reminded them, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."
- make something stick
To prove that an accusation or statement made against someone is true.
• Despite the police's best efforts, they couldn't make the charges stick against him.
- up sticks
To move all of one's possessions and relocate to a new place of residence.
• Due to work commitments, they decided to up sticks and move to another city.
- stick in someone's mind/head/memory
To be remembered clearly and persistently in one's mind.
• The melody of that song has been sticking in my head.
- a stick to beat someone with
something that is used as a means to criticize, influence, or cause difficulty for someone or something, especially someone or something disliked or disapproved of.
• He often uses my past mistakes as a stick to beat me with.
- sticks and stones may break my bones, (but words can never hurt me)
This idiom is used to express that verbal insults or criticisms will not cause any real harm or emotional distress to the person being targeted.
• Children might say, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,' when teasing each other during playtime.
- stick in someone's throat
To be unable to articulate what one wants to say, often due to a strong emotion.
• She gazed at him, but the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat.
- stick in someone's craw
to cause someone to feel extremely annoyed or angry, and difficult to accept.
• His arrogant attitude really stuck in my craw.
- stick to someone like glue
To remain very close to someone, often to the point of being inseparable or clingy.
• Ever since he transferred here, he's been sticking to his new friend like glue.
- stick to someone's ribs
To describe food as sticking to someone's ribs means that it is very filling and provides a lasting feeling of fullness.
• This beef stew really sticks to your ribs; it's very substantial.
Phrasal Verbs of stick
- stick out for something
to persist in demanding or striving to obtain something
• She always sticks out for better wages.
- stick together
When individuals stick together, they offer support and assistance to one another.
• During difficult times, we must stick together and support one another.
- stick at something
to persist with effort in doing something challenging
• Although learning a new skill is difficult, she decided to stick at it.
- stick out
to extend beyond the surface or boundary of something
• The branch sticks out from the edge of the tree.
- stick up
to extend upward from the surface of something and not remain flat
• The branches of the tree stick up from the ground, forming a beautiful canopy.
- stick around
to remain in a particular place for a certain duration
• I'll stick around after the meeting to see what happens.
- stick by something/someone
to remain supportive of something or someone, particularly during challenging times
• She vowed to stick by his decision even in the toughest moments.
- stick (something) out
to extend outward from the body, or to cause a body part to do so
• He stuck his arm out to try and grab the branch.
- stick something/someone up
to commit robbery at a location or against an individual by threatening them with a firearm
• The assailant stuck up a passerby at the street corner, trying to steal his wallet.
- stick up for something/someone
to advocate for or protect someone or something, particularly when they face criticism
• In the meeting, she stuck up for her colleague, making it clear that their efforts should not be overlooked.
- stick someone with something
to compel an individual to accept or undertake something undesirable
• During the meeting, the boss stuck me with this troublesome project.
- stick with something/someone
to persist in carrying out a task or continue to employ someone without switching to alternatives
• I have decided to stick with learning this language, even when faced with challenges.