clingier; clingiest
: having the quality of clinging to someone or something: such as
a
: tending to adhere to a surface upon contact
a clingy plastic wrap
clingy fabrics/clothes
In her clingiest [=tightest-fitting] dress she swings into town and soon has the men howling.—
Peter Travers
Peter Travers
b
: tending to stay very close to someone (such as a parent) for emotional support, protection, etc.
a clingy child
Some kids act out or become whiny to get a parent's attention; others become clingy or fearful.—Leah Hennen
Leah Hennen
clinginess
noun
disliked the fabric's clinginess
Any number of women I interviewed cited clinginess in a boyfriend as a major deal breaker.
—Liza Mundy
Liza Mundy
Examples of clingy in a Sentence
it took forever to clean up the clingy Styrofoam pellets that had been used as packing material for the lamp
Recent Examples on the Web
At some point, each of us is faced with a clingy child, a dramatic friend, a partner who recoils at the first hint of intimacy, a volatile parent or a controlling boss — in short, a difficult relationship.
—Jessica A. Stern, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
This often came in the form of a clingy statement boot, including over-the-knee styles by brands like Vetements and Balenciaga.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026
Using a clingy liner can help keep gear in place.
—Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 7 Jan. 2026
Kids who need more attention might be clingy and defiant—its important for parents to explore the root of those behaviors rather than jump right to punishment.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clingy
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Jessica A. Stern, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
This often came in the form of a clingy statement boot, including over-the-knee styles by brands like Vetements and Balenciaga.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026
Using a clingy liner can help keep gear in place.
—Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 7 Jan. 2026
Kids who need more attention might be clingy and defiant—its important for parents to explore the root of those behaviors rather than jump right to punishment.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clingy
Cite this Entry
“Clingy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clingy. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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