clammy
adjective C2
Plain meaning
slightly wet, sticky, and unpleasant to touch
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe slightly wet, sticky, and unpleasant to touch, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalHis response sounded clammy, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a clammy assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a clammy responseclammy behavioura clammy situation
Watch out
Do not use “very clammy” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
clammyness (noun, where natural)clammyly (adverb, where natural)