To stick fast or cleave, as a glutinous substance does; to become joined or united.
"The sticky honey immediately adhered to the sides of the jar."
In plain English: To adhere means to stick firmly to something, either physically attaching yourself to an object or following rules and plans without breaking them.
"The label adhered firmly to the back of the bottle."
Usage: Use "adhere" when describing something physically sticking to a surface or an abstract commitment being followed strictly. Avoid using it interchangeably with "stick," which is more casual and often implies only temporary attachment.
Example Sentences
"The label adhered firmly to the back of the bottle."verb
"The new rules require all employees to adhere to strict safety protocols."verb
"She decided to adhere to her diet even when traveling abroad."verb
"Make sure the poster adheres firmly to the wall with enough tape."verb
The word adhere comes from the Old French adhier, which was borrowed into Middle English around 1300 with the meaning "to stick fast." It ultimately traces back to Latin, where it combined a prefix for direction and a verb literally meaning "to be stuck" or "cling."