B2 verb Neutral

adhesion

/ədˈhiːʒən/

The physical property of sticking to a surface or object, or the act of a person or group joining or supporting a specific cause or agreement. In a technical sense, it often describes the force that holds two different substances together.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The tape lost its adhesion after being exposed to water for several hours.

The tape's ability to stick was lost after it stayed in water for hours.

2

The state's adhesion to the international treaty was finalized during the summit.

The country's formal agreement to join the international treaty was completed at the meeting.

3

I need a glue with better adhesion if I want these wooden pieces to stay together.

I require a glue that sticks more strongly for these pieces of wood.

Word Family

Noun
adhesion
Verb
adhere
Adverb
adhesively
Adjective
adhesive
Related
adherent
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'AD' in adhesion as standing for 'Adding' two different things together (like tape and a wall).

Quick Quiz

The engineer noticed that the cold weather was reducing the ______ of the sealant on the windows.

Correct!

The correct answer is: adhesion

Examples

1

The tape lost its adhesion after being exposed to water for several hours.

everyday

The tape's ability to stick was lost after it stayed in water for hours.

2

The state's adhesion to the international treaty was finalized during the summit.

formal

The country's formal agreement to join the international treaty was completed at the meeting.

3

I need a glue with better adhesion if I want these wooden pieces to stay together.

informal

I require a glue that sticks more strongly for these pieces of wood.

4

Molecular adhesion plays a critical role in the way cells interact with their environment.

academic

The way molecules stick together is very important for how cells work with their surroundings.

5

The contract of adhesion left the small business with very little room for negotiation.

business

The take-it-or-leave-it contract gave the small company almost no chance to negotiate.

Word Family

Noun
adhesion
Verb
adhere
Adverb
adhesively
Adjective
adhesive
Related
adherent

Common Collocations

strong adhesion high sticking power
poor adhesion weak ability to stick
promote adhesion to encourage or improve sticking
cellular adhesion the process of cells sticking to each other
adhesion contract a standard form contract drafted by one party

Common Phrases

contract of adhesion

A legally binding agreement where one party has all the bargaining power.

surface adhesion

The force that causes a liquid or solid to stick to a surface.

adhesion to principles

The act of remaining loyal to one's beliefs or rules.

Often Confused With

adhesion vs cohesion

Adhesion is the sticking together of different substances; cohesion is the sticking together of particles of the same substance.

adhesion vs adherence

Adhesion usually refers to physical sticking, whereas adherence often refers to sticking to rules, beliefs, or medical treatments.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'adhesion' primarily in scientific, technical, or legal contexts. While it can mean 'loyalty' to a cause, 'adherence' is more common for metaphorical usage regarding rules.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'adhesion' when describing the internal bond of a single material, which should actually be 'cohesion'.

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Memory Tip

Think of the 'AD' in adhesion as standing for 'Adding' two different things together (like tape and a wall).

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'adhaesio', from the verb 'adhaerere', meaning 'to stick to'.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun when referring to the physical property Countable noun in medical contexts (referring to scars or tissue unions) Often followed by the preposition 'to'
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Cultural Context

In legal systems, 'contracts of adhesion' are a significant consumer protection topic because they represent 'take-it-or-leave-it' deals.

Quick Quiz

The engineer noticed that the cold weather was reducing the ______ of the sealant on the windows.

Correct!

The correct answer is: adhesion

Related Words

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tripendward

C1

Describing a trajectory, movement, or orientation directed toward a three-fold suspension or a point supported by three distinct anchors. It characterizes an object or path that leans toward a junction where three entities or supports meet.

synacrness

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Describing a quality of simultaneous acute precision and synchronized coordination. It refers to the state where multiple sharp or intense elements occur at once with perfect alignment.

unmalance

C1

A state of persistent or structural lack of equilibrium, specifically when this lack of balance leads to a detrimental or inefficient outcome. It is often used in technical or test-specific environments to describe systems where the distribution of elements is intentionally or erroneously skewed.

comtermness

C1

To engage in the process of establishing common terminology or shared linguistic understanding within a specific group. It involves negotiating and refining definitions to ensure all parties are aligned on technical concepts.

semifinism

C1

Relating to a state of partial completion or an intermediate stage in a process where a final goal is reached in function but not in form. It describes something that is operational yet lacks the definitive polish or finality of a completed work.

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C1

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C1

To divide or branch into two distinct, often divergent paths or outcomes, typically used in contexts involving complex decision-making or evolutionary processes. It implies a definitive split where the resulting entities develop independently and no longer overlap.

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C1

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antimanment

C1

The systematic opposition to or reversal of human management and intervention within a specific system or environment. It typically refers to the policy of allowing natural or organic processes to occur without external control or supervision.

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