Phrase guide

stick to

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To persist; to continue (to use, do, etc.)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I have seen all the fancy electric toothbrushes, but I'm going to stick to the old-fashioned kind.
  • If you stick to your studies, you will continue to improve.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To follow and remain close to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • The suspect doubled back through an alley, but the detective stuck to him like glue.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see stick, to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

keep to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Stick to your principles
  • stick to the diet

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stick with, follow

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: persevere, persist, hang in, hang on, hold on

5

verb

Meaning 5

stick to firmly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Will this wallpaper adhere to the wall?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: adhere, hold fast, bond, bind, stick

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: attach

Narrower terms: bind

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 堅持 /坚持 (jiānchí) — persist; continue
  • Finnish: pitäytyä — persist; continue
  • Spanish: ceñirse a — persist; continue
  • Chinese Mandarin: 黏 — follow and remain close to
  • Finnish: pysyä perässä — follow and remain close to
  • Finnish: pysytellä perässä — follow and remain close to
  • Spanish: atenerse a — follow and remain close to