sticker
B1Neutral to Informal
Definition
Meaning
A small piece of paper or plastic with a picture or writing on one side and a sticky adhesive on the other, designed to be attached to a surface.
1) A persistent or determined person. 2) An official label or document attached to an item, providing information such as price, warning, or certification.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun form is vastly more common. The figurative sense meaning a 'determined person' is primarily British and informal. The verb form is typically used in phrasal verbs like 'stick on' or 'stick with' rather than the simple verb.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In BrE, 'sticker' can informally mean a determined person ('She's a real sticker'). In AmE, this usage is very rare. Both varieties use 'sticker' for adhesive labels and price tags.
Connotations
Generally neutral for the adhesive label. The 'determined person' connotation is mildly positive and colloquial.
Frequency
The word is highly frequent in both varieties for the primary meaning of an adhesive label.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
apply a sticker (to a surface)attach a sticker (to something)peel a sticker (off something)be covered in stickersVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sticker shock (AmE: the feeling of surprise at a high price)”
- “be a sticker for something (BrE: be strict about rules/punctuality)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to price labels, promotional giveaways, or quality certification seals on products.
Academic
Rare; may appear in design or marketing studies discussing product labeling or consumer behaviour.
Everyday
Common for children's toys, decorations, labeling items, or expressing opinions (e.g., bumper stickers).
Technical
In computing, a 'sticker' can be a UI element in design software; in manufacturing, an adhesive component.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The shop assistant stickered all the new stock with price tags.
- I need to sticker these parcels with 'fragile' warnings.
American English
- The clerk stickered each item with a barcode.
- They stickered the luggage for priority handling.
adjective
British English
- The sticker album was full.
- We're having a sticker book fair at school.
American English
- She bought a sticker collection.
- The sticker price on the car was negotiable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My son loves the dinosaur sticker on his notebook.
- The price sticker says five pounds.
- She decorated her laptop with colourful stickers from around the world.
- Peel the sticker off the apple before you eat it.
- The bumper sticker on his car expressed a strong political opinion.
- Due to sticker shock, they decided not to buy the new sofa.
- The company used branded stickers as a low-cost guerrilla marketing tactic.
- He was a sticker for punctuality, so don't be late.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STICKER as something that STICKs firmly. Picture a bee (which can 'stick' you with its stinger) wearing a name tag sticker.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE ADHESIVES (e.g., 'That idea really stuck with me'). PERSISTENCE IS ADHESION (e.g., 'He's a sticker').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'наклейка' when referring to a determined person (BrE).
- The verb 'to sticker' is rare; use 'to stick on' or 'to attach' instead of directly translating.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I stickered the poster on the wall.' Correct: 'I stuck the poster on the wall with adhesive' or 'I put a sticker on the poster.'
- Using 'sticker' as the main verb for adhesion instead of 'stick'.
Practice
Quiz
In British English, if someone is described as 'a real sticker', what does it mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but leans informal. In formal business contexts, 'adhesive label' or simply 'label' is often preferred.
Yes, but it is less common and means 'to apply a sticker to'. The general verb for adhesion is 'to stick'.
It is an American English idiom meaning the feeling of surprise or dismay upon discovering the high price of something.
Yes. A 'sticker' typically has a paper or thin plastic backing with an adhesive. A 'decal' is often a more durable image transfer, sometimes requiring water or heat to apply, common on vehicles or glass.