clammy

adjective clam·my \ˈkla-mē\

: unpleasantly wet and cold

clam·mi·erclam·mi·est

Full Definition of CLAMMY

: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool <cold clammy hands> <clammy air>

: lacking normal human warmth <the clammy atmosphere of an institution>

— clam·mi·ly \ˈkla-mə-lē\ adverb

— clam·mi·ness \ˈkla-mē-nəs\ noun

See clammy defined for English-language learners

See clammy defined for kids

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Synonyms: antiseptic, arctic, brittle, chill, chilly, cold, cold-blooded, cold-eyed, coldish, cool, frigid, frosty, frozen, gelid, glacial, hard-eyed, icy, unfriendly, unsympathetic, wintry (also wintery)

Antonyms: cordial, friendly, genial, happy, hearty, sympathetic, warm, warm-blooded, warmhearted

CLAMMINESS Defined for Kids

adjective clam·my \ˈkla-mē\

clam·mi·erclam·mi·est

: unpleasantly damp, sticky, and cool <clammy skin>

Medical Dictionary

adjective clam·my \ˈklam-ē\

clam·mi·erclam·mi·est

: being moist and sticky <a patient in shock may be cold and clammy—Emergency Medicine> <clammy sweating>

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