Gummed

/ɡʌmd/ adjective

Definition

Covered with or having gum; or stuck together with adhesive, making something difficult to move or function.

Etymology

From 'gum' (sticky substance from trees, or adhesive glue) plus the past tense suffix '-ed'. The word can describe something literally covered in gum or something stuck due to gum buildup.

Kelly Says

When you say something is 'gummed up,' you're using a word that's at least 700 years old—gum as an adhesive has been important for so long that it became our general term for anything that sticks and jams up mechanisms.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.