viscous

adjective

vis·​cous ˈvi-skəs 

1

: having a thick or sticky consistency : viscid

viscous secretions

viscous corn syrup

2

technical : having or characterized by a high resistance to flow

viscous lava

viscously adverb

viscousness noun

Synonyms

• ropy
• ropey
• syrupy
• thick
• viscid

Examples of viscous in a Sentence

viscous syrup that takes forever to pour from a narrow-neck bottle

Recent Examples on the Web

The Tequila is full-bodied on the palate, with an oily, viscous quality. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Lucky to be alive and watchful when the ground split open, lucky to be near enough to feel the heat and smell the gas, lucky to see the viscous lava slop slowly downhill like honey from a spoon—even lucky, perhaps, to feel so humbled and afraid. —Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024

The thicker, more viscous part of the egg white surrounding it is called the chalaziferous layer, which takes a little longer to cook than the thinner part of the egg white that hits the pan first. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2024

Bacteria and other small creatures squirming inside bodies often have to propel themselves through thick, viscous environments. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English viscouse, from Anglo-French viscos, from Late Latin viscosus full of birdlime, viscous, from Latin viscum mistletoe, birdlime; akin to Old High German wīhsila cherry, Greek ixos mistletoe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

viscous

adjective

vis·​cous ˈvis-kəs 

1

: having the characteristic of stickiness

2

: having or marked by viscosity

Medical Definition

viscous

adjective

vis·​cous ˈvis-kəs 

1

: having a glutinous consistency and the quality of sticking or adhering : viscid

2

: having or characterized by viscosity

a viscous flow