Definition

1. Noun:
   • An adhesive label or decal: A piece of paper, plastic, or other material with a sticky backing, designed to be attached to a surface.
   • A difficult or puzzling problem: (Informal) A particularly challenging question or situation.
   • A pointed implement: A short, sharp tool, such as a small knife or a pointed instrument used for piercing.
   • A sharp point or prickle: A small, stiff, pointed projection on a plant or animal, resembling a thorn or spine.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Adhesive Label):
  • She put a sticker on her notebook to personalize it.
  • The price sticker was difficult to remove from the glass.
• Noun (Difficult Problem):
  • The final question on the test was a real sticker.
  • We've encountered a sticker with the new software installation.
• Noun (Pointed Implement):
  • The farmer used a sticker to bleed the pig.
• Noun (Sharp Point):
  • Be careful of the stickers on that rose bush.

Advanced Usage

• "To be a sticker for...": (Informal, often as "stickler") To be someone who insists on a particular standard or detail.
  • He is a real sticker for punctuality.
• The informal meaning of a "difficult problem" is often used in phrases like "that's a sticker" or "pose a sticker."

Variants and Related Words

• Stick (v): To adhere or attach.
• Sticky (adj): Having the property of adhering to a surface.
• Stickler (n): A person who insists on a certain standard (closely related to the "difficult problem" sense).

Synonyms

• Label, decal, patch (for adhesive label).
• Puzzle, poser, conundrum, challenge (for difficult problem).
• Prickle, thorn, spine (for sharp point).
• Dagger, poniard, stiletto (for pointed implement).

Related Phrasal Verbs/Compounds

• Bumper sticker: An adhesive label displayed on a vehicle's bumper.
  • His car had a funny political bumper sticker.
• Price sticker: A label showing the cost of an item.

Related Idioms

• "The sticker price": The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of a vehicle or large item, often before negotiation.
  • We paid less than the sticker price for the new car.

Noun

1. a short knife with a pointed blade used for piercing or stabbing
2. a particularly difficult or baffling question or problem
3. an adhesive label
4. a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf