Glue: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in everyday situations, especially in arts, crafts, and minor repairs. It can be liquid or solid and is often used for paper, wood, and lightweight materials.

• She used glue to attach the pieces of paper together
• The kids needed glue for their school project

A more technical term often used in industrial, packaging, and manufacturing contexts. It refers to substances that can stick to surfaces firmly and include tapes, glues, and pastes.

• The adhesive on this tape is very strong
• Engineers tested the adhesive properties of the new product

Used in more formal or technical contexts to describe the connection created by adhesives. It can refer to both physical and chemical binding and is often used in scientific, engineering, and professional settings.

• The bond between the two metals was extremely strong
• Researchers studied how different materials bond under heat

Often used in building and construction contexts. It refers to a substance that hardens to act as a binding agent, commonly used for masonry, concrete, and large-scale structural projects.

• The workers used cement to build the foundation
• Cement between the bricks keeps the structure strong

Used for sticky substances that join things together physically.

• I used glue to fix the broken vase
• The kids love using glue in their art projects

Describes a strong relationship or connection, often emotional or chemical.

• The bond between mother and child is unbreakable
• In chemistry, molecules form bonds with each other

Refers to a relationship between people, concepts, or things, often more abstract than 'link'.

• There's a deep connection between music and emotions
• He felt an immediate connection with the new team

Used for a direct relationship or association between objects, ideas, or events, often functional or causal.

• There is a link between smoking and lung cancer
• Click the link to open the website

Typically used when talking about using a viscous substance to join materials like paper or wood. Commonly heard in arts and crafts, school projects, or DIY activities.

• She used glue to fix the broken vase
• The children enjoyed gluing glitter to the paper

Often used in a more formal or technical context, especially in manufacturing or science. It can also mean to stick firmly to principles or rules.

• The label must adhere to the bottle securely
• It’s important to adhere to the guidelines provided

Used in everyday language to describe fastening something with an adhesive or by pressing against a surface. It can also metaphorically mean to keep with something, like a plan or idea. It can sometimes have a negative tone if implying stubbornness.

• The sticker won't stick to the wall
• He decided to stick to his original plan despite the challenges

Commonly used when adding or fastening one thing to another in a general sense. It can be about physical objects or even abstract concepts like attaching importance.

• Please attach the document to the email
• The trailer is attached to the truck