A stick is a thin branch which has fallen off a tree.
...people carrying bundles of dried sticks to sell for firewood.
Synonyms: twig, branch, birch, offshoot More Synonyms of stick
2. countable noun
A stick is a long thin piece of wood which is used for supporting someone's weight or forhitting people or animals.
He looks old and walks with a stick.
Crowds armed with sticks and stones took to the streets.
Synonyms: cane, staff, pole, rod More Synonyms of stick
3. See also carrot and stick
4. countable noun [usually noun NOUN]
A stick is a long thin piece of wood which is used for a particular purpose.
...kebab sticks.
...lolly sticks.
...drum sticks.
5. countable noun [usually noun NOUN]
Some long thin objects that are used in sports are called sticks.
...lacrosse sticks.
...hockey sticks.
...ski-sticks.
6. countable noun [noun NOUN]
A stickof something is a long thin piece of it.
...a stick of celery. [+ of]
...cinnamon sticks.
7. uncountable noun
If you give someone some stick, you criticize them or tease them roughly.
[British, informal]
It's not motorists who give you the most stick, it's the general public.
I get some stick from the lads because of my faith but I don't mind.
Synonyms: abuse, criticism, flak [informal], blame More Synonyms of stick
8. plural noun
If you say that someone lives in the sticks, you mean that they live a long way from any large cities.
[informal, disapproval]
He lived out in the sticks somewhere.
9.
See a stick to beat someone with
10.
See to get the wrong end of the stick
11.
See more...than you could shake a stick at
More Synonyms of stick
stick verb uses
(stɪk)
Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense sticks, present participle sticking, past tense, past participle stuck
1. verb
If you stick something somewhere, you put it there in a rather casual way.
[informal]
He folded the papers and stuck them in his desk drawer. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Jack opened his door and stuck his head out. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: put, place, set, position More Synonyms of stick
2. verb
If you stick a pointed object in something, or if it sticksin something, it goes into it or through it by making a cut or hole.
Some punk stuck a knife in her last night. [V n + in/into/through]
The soldiers went at once to the mound and began to stick their bayonets throughit. [V n + in/into/through]
The knife stuck in the ground at his feet. [VERB + in]
Synonyms: poke, dig, stab, insert More Synonyms of stick
3. verb
If something is sticking out from a surface or object, it extends up or away from it. If something is sticking into a surface or object, it is partly in it.
They lay where they had fallen from the crane, sticking out of the water. [VERB adverb/preposition]
Something was sticking from the pocket of the little man's grimy shorts. [VERB adverb/preposition]
His hair sticks up in half a dozen directions. [VERB adverb/preposition]
...when we see her with lots of tubes and needles sticking into her little body. [VERB adverb/preposition]
4. verb
If you stick one thing to another, you attach it using glue, sticky tape, or another sticky substance.
Don't forget to clip the token and stick it on your card. [VERB noun preposition]
We just stuck it to the window. [VERB noun preposition]
He has nowhere to stick up his posters. [VERB noun with adverb]
Stick down any loose bits of flooring. [VERB noun with adverb]
Synonyms: fasten, fix, bind, hold More Synonyms of stick
5. verb
If one thing sticksto another, it becomes attached to it and is difficult to remove.
The soil sticks to the blade and blocks the plough. [VERBto noun]
Peel away the waxed paper if it has stuck to the bottom of the cake. [VERB + to]
If left to stand, cooked pasta sticks together. [Vtogether]
Synonyms: adhere, cling, cleave, become joined More Synonyms of stick
6. verb
If something sticks in your mind, you remember it for a long time.
There was one journey that particularly sticks in my mind. [VERB + in]
That song has stuck in my head for years. [VERBin noun]
Synonyms: stay, remain, linger, persist More Synonyms of stick
7. verb
If you give someone or something a name and the name sticks, it becomes the name which most people use to refer to that person or thing.
A friend dubbed it 'The Sanctuary' and the name stuck. [VERB]
8. verb [no cont, with brd-neg]
If someone manages to make a charge or accusation stick, they show that the person accused is guilty of the crime or action they are accused of.
I don't see how they'll make the charges stick. [VERB]
But legal experts are not sure if such a charge can stick. [VERB]
9. verb
If something which can usually be moved sticks, it becomes fixed in one position.
The needle on the dial went right round to fifty, and there it stuck. [VERB]
The dagger stuck tightly in the silver scabbard. [VERB]
Synonyms: catch, lodge, jam, stop More Synonyms of stick
10. verb
If you are in an unpleasant or difficult situation and you say that you cannot stick it, you mean that you cannot bear to remain there long.
[British, informal]
Got a job bottle-washing at the brewery. I lasted a fortnight. I couldn't stick it. [VERB noun]
How long did you stick it for? [VERB noun]
Synonyms: tolerate, take, stand, stomach More Synonyms of stick
11. See also stuck
12.
See can stick/to stick
13. to stick in your throat
Phrasal verbs:
See stick around
See stick at
See stick by
See stick out
See stick out for
See stick to
See stick together
See stick up for
See stick with
stick in British English1
(stɪk)
noun
1.
a small thin branch of a tree
2.
a.
any long thin piece of wood
b.
such a piece of wood having a characteristic shape for a special purpose
a walking stick
a hockey stick
c.
a baton, wand, staff, or rod
3.
an object or piece shaped like a stick
a stick of celery
a stick of dynamite
4. control stick
5. informal
the lever used to change gear in a motor vehicle
6. nautical
a mast or yard
7. printing composing stick
8.
a.
a group of bombs arranged to fall at intervals across a target
b.
a number of paratroops jumping in sequence
9. slang
a.
verbal abuse, criticism
I got some stick for that blunder
b.
physical power, force (esp in the phrase give it some stick)
10. (usually plural)
a piece of furniture
these few sticks are all I have
11. (plural) informal
a rural area considered remote or backward (esp in the phrase in the sticks)
12. (plural) Canadian West Coast and Northwest Canada informal
the wooded interior part of the country
13. (plural) hockey
a declaration made by the umpire if a player's stick is above the shoulders
14. (plural)
goalposts
15. US obsolete
a cannabis cigarette
16.
a means of coercion
17. informal
a dull boring person
18. (usually preceded by old) informal
a person
not a bad old stick
19. in a cleft stick
20. wrong end of the stick
verbWord forms: sticks, sticking or sticked
21.
to support (a plant) with sticks; stake
Word origin
Old English sticca; related to Old Norse stikka, Old High German stecca
stick in British English2
(stɪk)
verbWord forms: sticks, sticking or stuck
1. (transitive)
to pierce or stab with or as if with something pointed
2.
to thrust or push (a sharp or pointed object) or (of a sharp or pointed object) to be pushed into orthrough another object
3. (transitive)
to fasten in position by pushing or forcing a point into something
to stick a peg in a hole
4. (transitive)
to fasten in position by or as if by pins, nails, etc
to stick a picture on the wall
5. (transitive)
to transfix or impale on a pointed object
6. (transitive)
to cover with objects piercing or set in the surface
7. (whenintr, foll by out, up, through, etc)
to put forward or be put forward; protrude or cause to protrude
to stick one's head out of the window
8. (transitive) informal
to place or put in a specified position
stick your coat on this chair
9.
to fasten or be fastened by or as if by an adhesive substance
stick the pages together
they won't stick
10. (transitive) informal
to cause to become sticky
11. (when tr, usually passive)
to come or cause to come to a standstill
we were stuck for hours in a traffic jam
the wheels stuck
12. (intransitive)
to remain for a long time
the memory sticks in my mind
13. (transitive) slang, mainly British
to tolerate; abide
I can't stick that man
14. (intransitive)
to be reluctant
15. (tr; usually passive) informal
to cause to be at a loss; baffle, puzzle, or confuse
I was totally stuck for an answer
16. (transitive) slang
to force or impose something unpleasant on
they stuck me with the bill for lunch
17. (transitive)
to kill by piercing or stabbing
18. stick in one's throat
19. stick one's nose into
20. stick to the ribs
noun
21.
the state or condition of adhering
22. informal
a substance causing adhesion
23. obsolete
something that causes delay or stoppage
Word origin
Old English stician; related to Old High German stehhan to sting, Old Norse steikja to roast on a spit
stick in American English
(stɪk)
noun
1.
a long, usually slender piece of wood
; specif.,
a.
a twig or small branch broken off or cut off, esp. a dead and dry one
b.
a tree branch of any size, used for fuel, etc.
c.
a long, slender, and usually tapering piece of wood shaped for a specific purpose, as a wand, staff, club, baton, cane, rod, etc.
2.
a stalk, as of celery
3.
something shaped like a stick; sticklike piece
a stick of chewing gum
4.
a separate item; article
every stick of furniture
5.
an implement used for striking a ball, puck, etc.
a hockey stick
6.
something made of sticks, as a racing hurdle
7.
a sticking, as with a pointed weapon; stab
8.
anything, as a threat, used in compelling another
9.
stick shift
10.
a number of bombs, parachutists, etc. dropped from the air in such a way as to fall in a line across a target area
to pierce or puncture, as with a pointed instrument
18.
to kill by piercing; stab
19.
to pierce something with (a knife, pin, etc.)
20.
to thrust or push (in, into, out, etc.)
to stick one's finger into a hole
21.
to set with piercing objects
a cushion stuck with pins
22.
a.
to fasten or attach as by gluing, pinning, etc.
to stick a poster on a wall
b.
to decorate with things fastened in this way
23.
a.
to transfix or impale
b.
to impale (insect specimens, etc.), as on a pin, and mount for exhibit
24.
to obstruct, entangle, bog down, etc.; also, to detain, delay, etc.
usually used in the passive
the wheels were stuck; we were stuck in town
25.
a.
to prop (a vine, etc.) with a stick or sticks
b. Printing
to set type in a composing stick
26. Informal
to place; put; set
27. Informal
to make sticky by smearing
28. Informal
to puzzle; baffle
to be stuck by a question
29. Slang
a.
to make pay, often exorbitantly
b.
to impose a disagreeable task, burden, expense, etc. upon
c.
to cheat or defraud
30. Chiefly British, Informal
to endure or tolerate
verb intransitive
31.
to be or remain fixed or embedded by a pointed end, as a nail, etc.
32.
to be or remain attached by adhesion; adhere; cleave
33.
a.
to remain in the same place; stay; abide
they stick at home
b.
to remain fixed in the memory
c.
to remain in effect
to make the charges stick
34.
to remain in close association; be fixed; cling
friends stick together; the nickname stuck
35.
to keep close
to stick to a trail
36.
to persevere; persist
to stick at a job
37.
to remain firm and resolute; endure
they stuck through thick and thin
38.
to become fixed, blocked, lodged, etc. as by an obstacle
; specif.,
a.
to become embedded and immovable
a shoe stuck in the mud
b.
to become unworkable; jam
the gears stuck
c.
to become stopped or delayed; come to a standstill
a bill stuck in committee
39.
to be puzzled
40.
to be reluctant; hesitate; scruple
a person who will stick at nothing
41.
to protrude, project, or extend (out, up, through, etc.)
Idioms:
on the stick
stick around
stick by
stick it out
stick it to someone
stick to someone's ribs
stick up
stick up for
the sticks
SYNONYMY NOTE: stick is the simple, general term here, implying attachment by gluing or fastening togetherin any way, by close association, etc. [to stick a stamp on a letter, to stick to a subject]; adhere implies firm attachment and, of persons, denotes voluntary allegiance or devotionas to an idea, cause, or leader [to adhere to a policy]; cohere implies such close sticking together of parts as to form a single mass [glue made the particles of sawdust cohere]; cling implies attachment by embracing, entwining, or grasping with the arms, tendrils,etc. [a vine clinging to the trellis]; cleave2 is a poetic or lofty term implying a very close, firm attachment [my tongue cleaved to the roof of my mouth; Ruth cleaved to Naomi]
OPPOSITES: part, detach, separate
Word origin
ME stikke < OE sticca, akin to Du stek, ON stik < IE base *steig-, a point > stake, Frank *stakka, Gr stigma, L instigare, instigate
More idioms containing
stick
stick to your guns
stick to your last
carrot and stick
stick to your knitting
stick the knife in
stick your neck out
carry a big stick
get a lot of stick
get the short end of the stick
get the wrong end of the stick
have more things than you can shake a stick at
in a cleft stick
a stick to beat someone with
Examples of 'stick' in a sentence
stick
They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Why not just stick with the poster from the student bedsit?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We give him stick but he always laughs it off.
The Sun (2014)
Just a pointed building sticking out of the sand.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
With so many memories two have stuck in my mind.
The Sun (2008)
When he finally turned away his shirt was stuck to his back and chest both.
Kerr, Katharine A Time of War (1993)
Would he have whacked him with a walking stick?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is definitely something to stick with.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There were more knife wounds and fractured skulls than you could shake a stick at.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They use a stick against the ground to help push them along.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The weepy ending sticks in the throat.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If you press down on one part it sticks out somewhere else.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Some argue that it is impossible to stick to long term.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Garnish with a stick of celery and serve.
The Sun (2014)
The stick lived in the powdered kohl.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She grabbed her hockey stick and told me to call the police.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You have to go one way and stick to that way.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
What man wants to be seen with those knife handles sticking out?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You may be able to work out a compromise you can both stick to.
The Sun (2014)
This system is a lot better than sticking your head in the sand.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The doctors stick needles in his veins and tubes up his nose.
Christianity Today (2000)
Say no and stick to it.
The Sun (2015)
I spent most of my time in the woods with a stick and a dog.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
stick
British English: stick /stɪk/ NOUN
A stick is a long, thin piece of wood.
She put some dry sticks on the fire.
American English: stick
Arabic: عَصَا
Brazilian Portuguese: pau
Chinese: 棒
Croatian: štap
Czech: klacek
Danish: pind
Dutch: stok
European Spanish: palo
Finnish: keppi
French: bâton
German: Stock
Greek: κλαρί
Italian: bastone
Japanese: 棒切れ
Korean: 나뭇가지
Norwegian: pinne
Polish: patyk
European Portuguese: pau
Romanian: băț
Russian: прут
Latin American Spanish: palo
Swedish: pinne
Thai: ไม้เท้า
Turkish: sopa çubuk
Ukrainian: палиця
Vietnamese: thanh
British English: stick /stɪk/ VERB
If you stick one thing to another, you join them together using glue.
Now stick your picture on a piece of paper.
American English: stick
Arabic: يَلْتَصِقُ
Brazilian Portuguese: colar
Chinese: 随手将某物放进某物
Croatian: zabosti
Czech: slepit
Danish: stikke
Dutch: plakken
European Spanish: pegar adherir
Finnish: työntyä
French: coller
German: kleben
Greek: κολλάω
Italian: conficcare
Japanese: 突き刺さる
Korean: 찔리다
Norwegian: stikke (inn i)
Polish: wbić się
European Portuguese: colar
Romanian: a lipi
Russian: склеивать
Latin American Spanish: pegar
Swedish: sticka trästicka
Thai: ติดด้วยกาว
Turkish: yapışmak
Ukrainian: приклеювати
Vietnamese: dán
All related terms of 'stick'
big stick
force or the threat of using force
joy stick
a lever or pillar , usually fitted with a handwheel , used to control the movements of an aircraft
non-stick
Non-stick saucepans , frying pans , or baking tins have a special coating on the inside which prevents food from sticking to them.
ski stick
a stick , usually with a metal point and a disc to prevent it from sinking into the snow , used by skiers to gain momentum and maintain balance
stick at
If you stick at a task or activity, you continue doing it, even if it is difficult .
stick by
If you stick by someone, you continue to give them help or support.
stick-on
Stick-on labels , shapes , and objects have a sticky material on one side so that they will stick to things.
stick out
If you stick out part of your body, you extend it away from your body.
stick to
If you stick to something or someone when you are travelling , you stay close to them.
stick-up
a robbery at gunpoint ; hold-up
USB stick
A USB stick is a small object for storing digital information that you can connect to the USB part of a computer or other device .
crab stick
a stick of finely ground white fish, coloured to resemble crabmeat
dead-stick
designating a landing made by an aircraft or spacecraft without using power
fish stick
a small, oblong fillet or cake of fish breaded and fried
gear stick
→ a US name for gear lever
joss stick
A joss stick is a thin stick covered with a substance that burns very slowly and smells pleasant .
night stick
a heavy baton or club carried by a police officer
pogo stick
a stout pole with a handle at the top, steps for the feet and a spring at the bottom , so that the user can spring up, down, and along on it
polo stick
a stick used to strike the ball in the game of polo
stick down
to write
stick float
a float attached at the top and bottom to the line
stick shift
A stick shift is the lever that you use to change gear in a car or other vehicle.
stick with
If you stick with something, you do not change to something else.
white stick
a walking stick used by a blind person for feeling the way: painted white as a sign to others that the person is blind
cancer stick
a short tightly rolled cylinder of tobacco , wrapped in thin paper and often having a filter tip , for smoking
Chapman Stick
an electronically amplified musical instrument with ten or twelve strings and a fretted neck , which is played by striking the strings against the frets with the fingers
control stick
the lever by which a pilot controls the lateral and longitudinal movements of an aircraft
cuticle stick
a piece of wood with a flattened end used to push back the cuticles from one's nails
French stick
a long straight notched stick loaf
hockey stick
a long curved stick used in hockey to hit the ball
hurley stick
the stick used in playing hurling
incense stick
a stick coated with incense , which burns slowly, releasing a fragrant odour
Memory Stick
A memory stick is a small device that connects to a computer and allows you to store and copy information .
message stick
a stick bearing carved symbols, carried by a native Australian as identification
orange stick
a small stick used to clean the fingernails and cuticles , having one pointed and one rounded end
selfie stick
A selfie stick is a long device with a holder for your phone at one end and a button at the other that you can press to take a photograph of yourself.
shaving stick
a piece of shaving foam moulded into a slender shape and held in a slender container for ease of application to the face when removing hair with a razor
stick around
If you stick around , you stay where you are, often because you are waiting for something.
stick figure
a simple drawing of a person as executed by a young child, with a round head and straight lines representing the rest of the body
stick insect
A stick insect is an insect with a long body and thin legs. It looks like a small stick.
swagger stick
a short cane or stick carried on occasion mainly by army officers
swizzle stick
a small rod used to agitate an effervescent drink to facilitate the escape of carbon dioxide
walking stick
A walking stick is a long wooden stick which a person can lean on while walking.
cinnamon stick
a rolled strip of the dried aromatic bark of the tropical Asian lauraceous tree, Cinnamomum zeylanicum , used as a spice for flavouring food and drink
cocktail stick
a small pointed stick used for holding cherries , olives , etc, in cocktails , and for serving snacks , such as small sausages
composing stick
a metal holder of adjustable width in which a compositor sets a line of type at a time by hand ; now rarely used
lacrosse stick
a long-handled hooked stick used to hit the ball in the game lacrosse
liquorice stick
a long, stick-shaped, liquorice-flavoured sweet, often dipped in sherbet , etc
on the stick
alert , efficient , etc.
shooting stick
a device that resembles a walking stick , having a spike at one end and a folding seat at the other
Chinese translation of 'stick'
stick
(stɪk)
Word forms:ptppstuck
n(c)
[of wood]枯枝 (kūzhī) (根, gēn)
(as weapon) 棍棒 (gùnbàng)
(= walking stick) 拐(枴)杖 (guǎizhàng) (根, gēn)
[of chalk, dynamite, celery]条(條) (tiáo)
vt
to stick sth on or to sth (with glue etc) 将(將)某物粘贴(貼)在某物上 (jiāng mǒuwù zhāntiē zài mǒuwù shang)