gummy

1 of 2

adjective

gum·​my ˈgə-mē 

gummier; gummiest

1

: viscous, sticky

2

a

: consisting of or containing gum

b

: covered with gum

gumminess noun

gummy

2 of 2

noun

gum·​my ˈgə-mē 

variants or less commonly gummi

ˈgə-mē 

ˈgu̇-

plural gummies also gummis

: a chewy gelatin-based candy that is often flavored with fruit

Yeah, an actual pear is going to be much more boring than a pear-flavored gummy, but kids need to learn about the disappointment of actually eating healthy early in life.

—Mark Shrayber

Store owners will start pulling CBD gummies and drinks off of their shelves in Washington.

—Paige Browning

But a few years ago, Japanese candy makers made the gummi softer and sweeter, creating an instant domestic market.

—Yumiko Ono

If you have to take multiple supplements every day—and especially if you have problems swallowing capsules or tablets—gummies can make that chore easier (and tastier), finds a 2017 report from the AARP.

—Markham Heid

—often used before another noun

There are also numerous applications for gelatin in the food industry, from gummy candies to fat replacement.

—Matthew K. Roy

Trix may be for kids, but gummi vitamins? They're not restricted to the younger crowd anymore.

—Marianne Mychaskiw

Synonyms

Adjective

• adherent
• adhesive
• clingy
• gluey
• glutinous
• sticky
• tacky
• tenacious
• viscid

Examples of gummy in a Sentence

Adjective

How did you get your hands so gummy?

the outside of the bottle was gummy with old dribbles of salad oil

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

These slippery candies are then put in the freezer for three hours or more—after which, the frozen gummy bears are ready to try. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Here’s a look at some of the main reasons gummy products have become so popular. —Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 8 Oct. 2024

Noun

In the middle of the night, Jacqueline woke up to use the bathroom — and her daughter realized just how much the gummy impacted her mental state. —Jack Irvin, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024

For some people, the answer might be to pop a gummy and cue up Mulholland Drive. —Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for gummy bear, borrowed from German Gummibär "fruit-flavored gelatin candy in the shape of a bear (originally made by the German confectioner Haribo)," from Gummi "rubber," earlier also "resin, gum" (going back to Middle High German, borrowed from Latin cummi, gummi) + Bär "bear," going back to Middle High German ber, going back to Old High German pero, bēr — more at gum entry 3, bear entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gummy

adjective

gum·​my gəm-ē 

gummier; gummiest

1

: consisting of, containing, or covered with gum

2

: viscous sense 1, sticky

gumminess noun

Medical Definition

gummy

adjective

gum·​my ˈgəm-ē 

gummier; gummiest

1

: consisting of or containing gum

2

: being viscous or sticky