non-sticky

IPA/nˈɒnstˈɪki/
IPA/nˈɑːnstˈɪki/

non-sticky — adjective

1. describing a surface, food, or substance that does not leave a tacky feel or cau

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing a surface, food, or substance that does not leave a tacky feel or cause other things to cling when touched

Example

Mina chose a non-sticky lip balm for the dry winter air.

non-sticky + product noun

The rice cooled into a non-sticky texture that was easy to spoon.

non-sticky + texture

Common collocations
  • non-sticky lotion
  • non-sticky sunscreen
  • non-sticky texture
  • non-sticky surface
  • non-sticky formula
Synonyms
  • dry

    can overlap for lotions or paint, but mainly contrasts with moisture rather than adhesion

  • smooth

    describes feel, but something smooth can still become sticky

  • non-stick

    more specific; standard term for coated cookware and similar surfaces

Antonyms
  • sticky

    having a surface that makes things cling to it

  • tacky

    slightly sticky, especially for paint, glue, or skin products

  • gluey

    thick and sticky like glue, usually with a negative tone

Grammar Patterns

non-sticky + lotion/sunscreen/surface/texture

be + non-sticky

Usage Note

Common in product descriptions for lotions, sunscreens, mats, and foods. It usually highlights comfort or easy cleaning, not complete dryness.

Common Mistakes

This pan is non-sticky, so food will never burn.
This pan has a non-stick surface, so food is less likely to cling to it.
'non-sticky' is a general feel or texture word, while cookware is more often described as 'non-stick'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Non-sticky' is a general everyday word for something that does not leave a tacky feel or make other things cling to it. 'Dry' can overlap, especially for skin products, paint, or food, but it mainly contrasts with moisture rather than stickiness. 'Smooth' describes how a surface feels, yet a smooth object can still become sticky after heat, sweat, or spilled sugar. 'Non-stick' is narrower and is the standard label for coated pans or trays designed to stop food from attaching during cooking. Say 'non-sticky sunscreen' or 'non-sticky lotion' for comfort on the skin, but 'non-stick pan' for cookware.

non-sticky ↗dry ↗smooth ↗non-stick ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • non-sticky texture
  • non-sticky finish

Adverbs

  • completely non-sticky
  • pleasantly non-sticky

Phrases

  • non-sticky sunscreen formula
  • keep the surface non-sticky

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

'Non-sticky' was formed in modern English by adding the negative prefix 'non-' to 'sticky'. 'Sticky' comes from 'stick', an old English verb about attaching or staying fixed, plus the adjective ending '-y'. The compound is especially common in product language for foods, skin products, and surfaces that do not leave a tacky feel.

First known use

1889

1889, in the meaning defined above