clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈkla-mē 

clammier; clammiest

1

: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool

cold clammy hands

clammy air

2

: lacking normal human warmth

the clammy atmosphere of an institution

clammily

ˈkla-mə-lē 

adverb

clamminess

ˈkla-mē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• antiseptic
• arctic
• brittle
• chill
• chilly
• cold
• cold-blooded
• cold-eyed
• coldish
• cool
• frigid
• frosty
• frozen
• gelid
• glacial
• hard-eyed
• icy
• uncordial
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic
• wintry
• wintery

Examples of clammy in a Sentence

His hand was cold and clammy.

after a clammy handshake, the two bitter rivals squared off for a no-holds-barred debate

Recent Examples on the Web

Sporting a Biblical premise and an air of clammy dread, this adaptation of the Paul G. Tremblay novel contains elements of Hitchcock films like the close-quarters drama of Rope and the unsettling, end-of-days tone of The Birds. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024

Tokyo, though, will be clammy and muggy, while India’s temperatures will make much sightseeing impractical. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2024

Anyone who has experienced anxiety will know the feeling all too well: the : inability to stop ruminating, clammy hands, and a perpetually racing heart. —Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 29 May 2024

The interior grew scruffy and, as a hangout for generations of writers, clammy from the haze of stray storylines left unfinished or unfulfilled under its roof. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from clammen to smear, stick, from Old English clǣman; akin to Old English clǣg clay

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈklam-ē 

clammier; clammiest

: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool

clamminess noun

Medical Definition

clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈklam-ē 

clammier; clammiest

: being moist and sticky

a patient in shock may be cold and clammy

—Emergency Medicine

clammy sweating