What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sticky
Example
The honey was so sticky that it was hard to get off my fingers. [sticky: adjective]
Example
The situation with the project was sticky, and it took a lot of effort to resolve. [sticky: adjective]
Example
I had a sticky feeling in my stomach after hearing the bad news. [sticky: adjective]
viscous
Example
The syrup was so viscous that it took a while to pour out of the bottle. [viscous: adjective]
Example
The oil was too viscous to be used in the engine. [viscous: adjective]
Example
The glue was viscous enough to hold the pieces together. [viscous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sticky is more commonly used in everyday language, while viscous is more technical and scientific and is used in specific contexts such as chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between sticky and viscous?
Viscous is more formal than sticky and is typically used in technical or scientific contexts. Sticky is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
