Clingy describes someone who won't let you go and needs constant attention. It's most often said about a partner in a relationship, but also about a child, a friend or even a dog: my dog gets clingy when I pack a suitcase. The tone is critical, though between friends it can be playful.
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be/get/seem clingy; a clingy partner/child/dog; too clingy; clingy clothes
- He texts me every ten minutes when I'm out with friends, it's a bit clingy.
- My little brother gets really clingy on the first day of school.
- I didn't want to seem clingy, so I waited a day before replying.
What changed
First versionMy grandmother is very clingy to her old house and doesn't want to move.
RevisionMy grandmother is very attached to her old house and doesn't want to move.
Clingy describes how someone behaves with people, and it's a criticism: the person sticks to you and doesn't give you space. For a warm attachment to a home, a place or a thing, people say attached to. Nobody is criticising the grandmother here; she simply loves her house.
Clingy also has a meaning that has nothing to do with relationships: clingy clothes are tight clothes in thin fabric that cling to the body, for example a clingy black dress. The word itself isn't slang but ordinary informal English: you can say it in IELTS Speaking, while in an essay emotionally dependent is more neutral. Calling someone clingy to their face is almost an accusation.
Your turn
Since we moved, my cat follows me from room to room and cries when I leave. She's become really ___.
Show the answer
clingy — The cat follows you from room to room and cries when you leave: that's needy attachment, clingy. Sticky describes things that literally stick to your fingers, like jam, and says nothing about the cat's character.
Describe to a friend a person or pet who is too needy. Use clingy, say who it is and give one specific thing they do.
My new flatmate is a bit clingy, he waits for me at the door every evening to chat.
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