adhere

verb

ad·​here ad-ˈhir 

əd-

adhered; adhering

intransitive verb

1

: to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusing

The stamp failed to adhere to the envelope.

2

: to give support or maintain loyalty

adhere to traditional values

3

: to bind oneself to observance

adhere to the rules

4

obsolete : accord sense intransitive 1

transitive verb

: to cause to stick fast

The paper had been adhered to the wall.

Synonyms

• cleave
• cling
• hew
• stick

Choose the Right Synonym for adhere

stick, adhere, cohere, cling, cleave mean to become closely attached.

stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

Examples of adhere in a Sentence

The stamp failed to adhere.

everyone started calling her “Cookie” when she was little and the name adhered

Recent Examples on the Web

The story is told in the third person but adheres very closely to Paul’s perspective. —Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025

Sprinkle Filling evenly over Dough rectangle, pressing gently to adhere, leaving a 1-inch border on both long sides. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2025

Trim wallpaper to fit inside the door insets and adhere with crafts glue. —Maria V. Charbonneaux, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2024

Dredge chicken, one piece at a time, in panko, pressing to adhere panko to mayonnaise. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French adhérer, going back to Old French ahérer, borrowed from Latin adhaerēre "to cling, stick (to), attach oneself, keep close (to a person)," from ad- ad- + haerēre "to be closely attached, stick" — more at hesitate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Phrases Containing adhere

• adhere to

Rhymes for adhere

• ameer
• amir
• appear
• arrear
• astir
• austere
• career
• cashier
• cohere
• compere
• emir
• endear

Kids Definition

adhere

verb

ad·​here ad-ˈhi(ə)r 

əd-

adhered; adhering

1

: to stay loyal (as to a cause or promise)

2

: to stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or melting

3

: to agree to observe

adhere to the rules

Medical Definition

adhere

verb

ad·​here ad-ˈhi(ə)r, əd- 

adhered; adhering

intransitive verb

1

: to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusing

a gauze bandage adhering to the wound

2

: to become joined (as in pathological adhesion)

the lung sometimes adheres to the pleura

transitive verb

: to cause to stick fast

adherence

-ˈhir-ən(t)s 

noun