clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈkla-mē How to pronounce clammy (audio)
clammier; clammiest
1
: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool
cold clammy hands
clammy air
2
: lacking normal human warmth
the clammy atmosphere of an institution
clammily adverb
clamminess noun

Examples of clammy in a Sentence

His hand was cold and clammy. after a clammy handshake, the two bitter rivals squared off for a no-holds-barred debate
Recent Examples on the Web By this point, my heart thumped and my palms grew clammy. Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2023 This will help the gloves wick away sweat and prevent clammy hands due to the insulation or heating component. Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2024 Unlike synthetic fleece department store slippers, the unlined wool doesn't make your feet clammy. Matt Jancer, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2023 The signs of an opioid overdose include unconsciousness or inability to wake up, slow or irregular breathing, small pupils, and cold, clammy or blue skin. Annie Berman, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Sep. 2023 Signs of fentanyl overdose include choking or gurgling sounds, falling asleep or losing consciousness and cold or clammy skin. Adithi Ramakrishnan, Dallas News, 3 Sep. 2023 In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tj MacIas The Charlotte Observer (tns), al, 17 July 2023 Overdoses can cause stupor, changes in pupil size, clammy skin, cyanosis, coma and respiratory failure leading to death. Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2023 The Reef Men's Voyage Le Flip-Flop is an ideal combination of comfort and cool without weighing you down or resulting in clammy feet throughout the day. Kaitlyn McInnis, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clammy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from clammen to smear, stick, from Old English clǣman; akin to Old English clǣg clay

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clammy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near clammy

Cite this Entry

“Clammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clammy. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

clammy

adjective
clam·​my ˈklam-ē How to pronounce clammy (audio)
clammier; clammiest
: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool
clamminess noun

Medical Definition

clammy

adjective
clam·​my ˈklam-ē How to pronounce clammy (audio)
clammier; clammiest
: being moist and sticky
a patient in shock may be cold and clammyEmergency Medicine
clammy sweating

More from Merriam-Webster on clammy

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