Stick to meaning
Stick to means to keep doing or using one thing and not change to something else. It can also mean to do what a plan, rule or promise says.
stick to somebody or something
stick to · stuck · sticking
I’ll stick to water tonight. I’m driving.
Stick to meanings and examples
3 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.
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1
Keep doing or using one thing and not change to something else
stick to somebody or something
- I’ll stick to water tonight. I’m driving.
- Let’s stick to the main road. It’s safer.
- She tried new apps but stuck to her old one.
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2
Do what a plan, rule or promise says
stick to something
- We need to stick to the budget this month.
- He never sticks to his word.
- Did you stick to your diet over the holidays?
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3
Become fixed to a surface and not come off
stick to something
- There’s gum stuck to my shoe!
- Oil the pan so the eggs don’t stick to it.
- The wet shirt was sticking to his back.
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use stick to in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is stick to separable?
Stick to is not separable. The thing always comes after to: stick to the plan, stick to it.
Stick to your guns means keep your opinion when others disagree. Stick to the point means talk only about the main topic.
Verb tenses for stick to
| Present | I stick to · she sticks to |
|---|---|
| Past | stuck to |
| Present perfect | have stuck to |
| -ing form | sticking to |
Common mistakes with stick to
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: We must stick on the plan.
Right: We must stick to the plan.
Use to, not on, when you mean follow.
Wrong: I sticked to my promise.
Right: I stuck to my promise.
The past of stick is stuck.
Wrong: I stick to go to the gym every day.
Right: I stick to going to the gym every day.
To is a preposition here, so use a noun or -ing after it.
Synonyms and opposites of stick to
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- stick withkeep using or supporting something; very close
- followdo what a rule or plan says
- keep toUK; stay on a path, or obey a rule
Opposite
- breaknot do what a rule or promise says: break a promise
- stray frommove away from a plan or topic
Stick to quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
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1We have a lot to talk about, so let’s ___ the main points.
Stick to means keep to one thing and not change.
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2Choose the right sentence.
Use to, and the past is stuck.
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3“The tape won’t stick to the wall.” What is the problem?
Stick to a surface means stay fixed to it.
More phrasal verbs with stick
2 phrasal verbs start with stick. Test yourself on all of them in a few minutes.
Stick to FAQ
Questions people ask about stick to.
Stick to vs stick with: what is the difference?
Often both work: stick to/with the plan. Stick with is more common for people and for keep trying: Stick with it! Stick to is more common for rules and topics.
What does stick to it mean?
It means keep doing something even when it is hard. Learning a language is slow, but if you stick to it, you’ll get there.
Is stick to followed by -ing?
Yes, when you use a verb. To is a preposition here: stick to running in the morning, not stick to run.
Use stick to in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.