viscous

[vis-kuhs]

adjective

1. of a glutinous nature or consistency; sticky; thick; adhesive.

2. having the property of viscosity.

viscous

/ ˈvɪskəs /

adjective

1. (of liquids) thick and sticky; viscid

2. having or involving viscosity

viscous

1. Having relatively high resistance to flow (high viscosity).

Other Word Forms

• viscously adverb
• viscousness noun
• hyperviscous adjective
• pseudoviscous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of viscous¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin viscōsus, equivalent to Latin visc ( um ) mistletoe, birdlime (made with mistletoe berries) + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of viscous¹

C14: from Late Latin viscōsus; see _viscose

Example Sentences

“Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Crater Lake — those kind of volcanoes have a lot more gas and are more explosive in general. The magma is more viscous,” Chadwick said.

From Los Angeles Times

The energy is serene, but viscous, especially when you focus on the allegations.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is the consistency of, say, honey. It is very, very viscous,” says Dr Burke.

From BBC

To prevent damage from acid and microbes, conservators usually remove water from these artifacts by freeze-drying or using a process that replaces the water with highly pressurized carbon dioxide or a viscous polymer.

From Science Daily

You'll still have a viscous cranberry liquid without the need for as much sugar, since cooking concentrates some of the bitter compounds, making them more pronounced in your dish.

From Salon

Related Words

• gooey 
• slimy 
• syrupy