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Tuck vs. Stick — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Tuck and Stick

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Definitions

Tuck

To thrust or fold the edge of so as to secure or confine
He tucked his shirt into his pants. I tucked the blanket under the mattress.

Stick

A branch or stem that has fallen or been cut from a tree or shrub.

Tuck

To wrap or cover snugly, as by tucking a blanket
Tucked the baby in bed.

Stick

A piece of wood, such as a tree branch, that is used for fuel, cut for lumber, or shaped for a specific purpose.

Tuck

To make one or more folds in
Tucked the pleats before sewing the hem.
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Stick

A wand, staff, baton, or rod.

Tuck

To put in an out-of-the-way, snug place
A cabin that was tucked among the pines.

Stick

(Sports) A long thin implement with a blade or net on the end used to propel and control a puck or ball in hockey or lacrosse.

Tuck

To store in a safe spot; save
Tuck away a bit of lace.
Tuck away millions.

Stick

A walking stick; a cane.
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Tuck

To draw in; contract
He tucked his chin into his chest.

Stick

Something that is long and thin
A stick of dynamite.
A stick of gum.

Tuck

(Sports) To bring (a body part) into a tuck position.

Stick

(Slang) A marijuana cigarette.

Tuck

To make tucks.

Stick

The control device of an aircraft that operates the elevators and ailerons.

Tuck

The act of tucking.

Stick

(Informal) A stick shift.

Tuck

A flattened pleat or fold, especially a very narrow one stitched in place.

Stick

(Nautical) A mast or a part of a mast.

Tuck

(Nautical) The part of a ship's hull under the stern where the ends of the bottom planks come together.

Stick

A group of bombs released to fall across an enemy target in a straight row.

Tuck

A body position used in some sports, such as diving, in which the knees are bent and the thighs are drawn close to the chest, with the hands often clasped around the shins.

Stick

(Slang) A group of paratroopers exiting an aircraft in succession.

Tuck

A position in skiing in which the skier squats, often while holding the poles parallel to the ground and under the arms.

Stick

A timber tree.

Tuck

(Informal) A cosmetic surgical procedure in which skin or fat is removed, sometimes accompanied by muscle tightening, to create a slimmer or more youthful appearance.

Stick

(Informal) A piece of furniture.

Tuck

Chiefly British Food, especially sweets and pastry.

Stick

A poke, thrust, or stab with a stick or similar object
A stick in the ribs.

Tuck

A beat or tap, especially on a drum.

Stick

A threatened penalty
Using both a carrot and a stick to keep allies in line.

Tuck

A slender sword; a rapier.

Stick

The condition or power of adhering
A glue with plenty of stick.

Tuck

Energy; vigor.

Stick

A remote area; backwoods
Moved to the sticks.

Tuck

(transitive) To pull or gather up (an item of fabric).

Stick

A city or town regarded as dull or unsophisticated.

Tuck

(transitive) To push into a snug position; to place somewhere safe or somewhat hidden.
Tuck in your shirt.
I tucked in the sheet.
He tucked the $10 bill into his shirt pocket.

Stick

(Informal) A person regarded as stiff, boring, or spiritless.

Tuck

To eat; to consume.

Stick

(Obsolete) A difficulty or obstacle; a delay.

Tuck

(ergative) To fit neatly.
The sofa tucks nicely into that corner.
Kenwood House is tucked into a corner of Hampstead Heath.

Stick

To pierce, puncture, or penetrate with a pointed instrument
Stick a fingertip with a pin.

Tuck

To curl into a ball; to fold up and hold one's legs.
The diver tucked, flipped, and opened up at the last moment.

Stick

To kill by piercing
Stick a pig.

Tuck

To sew folds; to make a tuck or tucks in.
To tuck a dress

Stick

To thrust or push (a pointed instrument) into or through another object
Stuck a fork into the turkey.

Tuck

To full, as cloth.

Stick

To jab or poke (a pointed or narrow instrument) into or against
The robber stuck a pistol in my ribs.

Tuck

To conceal one’s penis and testicles, as with a gaff or by fastening them down with adhesive tape.
Honey, have you tucked today? We don’t wanna see anything nasty down there.

Stick

To place or position by pushing or thrusting
Stick candles on the cake.
Stick a flower through a buttonhole.

Tuck

(when playing scales on piano keys) To keep the thumb in position while moving the rest of the hand over it to continue playing keys that are outside the thumb.

Stick

To fix, impale, or transfix on a pointed object
Stick an olive on a toothpick.

Tuck

(aviation) Mach tuck
Never take a first-generation Learjet past Mach 0.82; it'll tuck hard nose-down and you won't be able to pull out from the dive.

Stick

To cover or decorate with objects piercing the surface
Stick a map with pins.

Tuck

An act of tucking; a pleat or fold.

Stick

To fasten into place by forcing an end or point into something
Stick a tack on the wall.

Tuck

(sewing) A fold in fabric that has been stitched in place from end to end, as to reduce the overall dimension of the fabric piece.

Stick

To fasten or attach with pins, nails, or similar devices
Stuck the announcement on the bulletin board.

Tuck

A curled position.

Stick

To fasten or attach with an adhesive material, such as glue or tape.

Tuck

A plastic surgery technique to remove excess skin.
Tummy tuck

Stick

(Sports) To execute (a landing or dismount) in gymnastics so that the feet do not move after they hit the ground.

Tuck

The act of keeping the thumb in position while moving the rest of the hand over it to continue playing keys that are outside the thumb.

Stick

To detain or delay
We were stuck at the airport overnight.

Tuck

(diving) A curled position, with the shins held towards the body.

Stick

(Informal) To confuse, baffle, or puzzle
I started doing the math problems, but I got stuck.

Tuck

(nautical) The afterpart of a ship, immediately under the stern or counter, where the ends of the bottom planks are collected and terminate by the tuck-rail.

Stick

Past tense and past participle sticked (stĭkt) To prop (a plant) with sticks or brush on which to grow.

Tuck

(archaic) A rapier, a sword.

Stick

Past tense and past participle sticked Printing To set (type) in a composing stick.

Tuck

The beat of a drum.

Stick

To cover or smear with something sticky.

Tuck

Food, especially snack food.

Stick

(Informal) To put blame or responsibility on; burden
Stuck me with the bill.

Tuck

A long, narrow sword; a rapier.
He wore large hose, and a tuck, as it was then called, or rapier, of tremendous length.

Stick

(Slang) To defraud or cheat
The dealer stuck me with shoddy merchandise.

Tuck

The beat of a drum.

Stick

To be or become fixed or embedded in place by having the point thrust in
The spear stuck in the shield.

Tuck

A horizontal sewed fold, such as is made in a garment, to shorten it; a plait.

Stick

To become or remain attached or in close association; cling
Stick together in a crowd.

Tuck

A small net used for taking fish from a larger one; - called also tuck-net.

Stick

To remain firm, determined, or resolute
Stuck to basic principles.

Tuck

A pull; a lugging.

Stick

To remain loyal or faithful
Stuck by her through hard times.

Tuck

The part of a vessel where the ends of the bottom planks meet under the stern.

Stick

To persist or endure
A bad name that has stuck.

Tuck

Food; pastry; sweetmeats.

Stick

To scruple or hesitate
She sticks at nothing—no matter how difficult.

Tuck

To draw up; to shorten; to fold under; to press into a narrower compass; as, to tuck the bedclothes in; to tuck up one's sleeves.

Stick

To become fixed, blocked, checked, or obstructed
The drawer stuck and would not open.

Tuck

To make a tuck or tucks in; as, to tuck a dress.

Stick

To project or protrude
Hair sticking out on his head.

Tuck

To inclose; to put within; to press into a close place; as, to tuck a child into a bed; to tuck a book under one's arm, or into a pocket.

Stick

(Sports) To throw a jab in boxing.

Tuck

To full, as cloth.

Stick

An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.

Tuck

To contract; to draw together.

Stick

A small, thin branch from a tree or bush; a twig; a branch.
The beaver's dam was made out of sticks.

Tuck

Eatables (especially sweets)

Stick

A relatively long, thin piece of wood, of any size.
I found several good sticks in the brush heap.
What do you call a boomerang that won't come back? A stick.

Tuck

(sports) a bodily position adopted in some sports (such as diving or skiing) in which the knees are bent and the thighs are drawn close to the chest

Stick

(US) A timber board, especially a two by four (inches).
I found enough sticks in dumpsters at construction sites to build my shed.

Tuck

A narrow flattened pleat or fold that is stitched in place

Stick

A cane or walking stick (usually wooden, metal or plastic) to aid in walking.
I don’t need my stick to walk, but it’s helpful.

Tuck

A straight sword with a narrow blade and two edges

Stick

A cudgel or truncheon (usually of wood, metal or plastic), especially one carried by police or guards.
As soon as the fight started, the guards came in swinging their sticks.

Tuck

Fit snugly into;
Insert your ticket into the slot
Tuck your shirtail in

Stick

(carpentry) The vertical member of a cope-and-stick joint.

Tuck

Make a tuck or several folds in;
Tuck the fabric
Tuck in the sheet

Stick

(nautical) A mast or part of a mast of a ship; also, a yard.

Tuck

Draw fabric together and sew it tightly

Stick

(figuratively) A piece (of furniture, especially if wooden).
We were so poor we didn't have one stick of furniture.

Stick

Any roughly cylindrical (or rectangular) unit of a substance.
Sealing wax is available as a cylindrical or rectangular stick.

Stick

A small rectangular block, with a length several times its width, which contains by volume one half of a cup of shortening (butter, margarine or lard).
The recipe calls for half a stick of butter.

Stick

A standard rectangular strip of chewing gum.
Don’t hog all that gum, give me a stick!

Stick

(slang) A cigarette usually a tobacco cigarette, less often a marijuana cigarette.
Cigarettes are taxed at one dollar per stick.

Stick

Material or objects attached to a stick or the like.

Stick

A bunch of something wrapped around or attached to a stick.
My parents bought us each a stick of cotton candy.

Stick

(archaic) A scroll that is rolled around (mounted on, attached to) a stick.

Stick

(military) The structure to which a set of bombs in a bomber aircraft are attached and which drops the bombs when it is released. The bombs themselves and, by extension, any load of similar items dropped in quick succession such as paratroopers or containers.

Stick

A tool, control, or instrument shaped somewhat like a stick.

Stick

A manual transmission, a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, so called because of the stick-like, i.e. twig-like, control (the gear shift) with which the driver of such a vehicle controls its transmission.
I grew up driving a stick, but many people my age didn’t.

Stick

(aviation) The control column of an aircraft; a joystick. By convention, a wheel-like control mechanism with a handgrip on opposite sides, similar to the steering wheel of an automobile, can also be called the "stick", although "yoke" or "control wheel" is more commonly seen.

Stick

Use of the stick to control the aircraft.

Stick

(computing) A memory stick.

Stick

(slang) A handgun.

Stick

A composing stick, the tool used by compositors to assemble lines of type.

Stick

The clarinet.

Stick

(sports) A stick-like item:

Stick

A long thin implement used to control a ball or puck in sports like hockey, polo, and lacrosse.
Tripping with the stick is a violation of the rules.

Stick

(horse racing) The short whip carried by a jockey.

Stick

(boardsports) A board as used in board sports, such as a surfboard, snowboard, or skateboard.

Stick

(golf) The pole bearing a small flag that marks the hole.
His wedge shot bounced off the stick and went in the hole.

Stick

The cue used in billiards, pool, snooker, etc.
His stroke with that two-piece stick is a good as anybody's in the club.

Stick

Ability; specifically:

Stick

(golf) The long-range driving ability of a golf club.

Stick

(baseball) The potential hitting power of a specific bat.

Stick

(baseball) General hitting ability.

Stick

(hockey) The potential accuracy of a hockey stick, implicating also the player using it.

Stick

A person or group of people. (Perhaps, in some senses, because people are, broadly speaking, tall and thin, like pieces of wood.)

Stick

A thin or wiry person; particularly a flat-chested woman.

Stick

(magic) An assistant planted in the audience.

Stick

(gambling) A shill or house player.

Stick

A stiff, stupidly obstinate person.

Stick

A fighter pilot.

Stick

A small group of (infantry) soldiers.

Stick

Encouragement or punishment, or (resulting) vigour or other improved behavior.

Stick

A negative stimulus or a punishment. (This sense derives from the metaphor of using a stick, a long piece of wood, to poke or beat a beast of burden to compel it to move forward. Compare carrot.)

Stick

Corporal punishment; beatings.

Stick

(slang) Vigor; spirit; effort, energy, intensity.
Give it some stick!

Stick

(slang) Vigorous driving of a car; gas.

Stick

A measure.

Stick

(obsolete) An English Imperial unit of length equal to 2 inches.

Stick

A quantity of eels, usually 25.

Stick

(motor racing) The traction of tires on the road surface.

Stick

(fishing) The amount of fishing line resting on the water surface before a cast; line stick.

Stick

A thrust with a pointed instrument; a stab.

Stick

Criticism or ridicule.

Stick

(carpentry) To cut a piece of wood to be the stick member of a cope-and-stick joint.

Stick

To compose; to set, or arrange, in a composing stick.
To stick type

Stick

(transitive) To furnish or set with sticks.

Stick

(intransitive) To become or remain attached; to adhere.
The tape will not stick if it melts.

Stick

(intransitive) To jam; to stop moving.
The lever sticks if you push it too far up.

Stick

(transitive) To tolerate, to endure, to stick with.

Stick

(intransitive) To persist.
His old nickname stuck.

Stick

(intransitive) Of snow, to remain frozen on landing.

Stick

(intransitive) To remain loyal; to remain firm.
Just stick to your strategy, and you will win.

Stick

To hesitate, to be reluctant; to refuse (in negative phrases).

Stick

To be puzzled (at something), have difficulty understanding.

Stick

To cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation.

Stick

(transitive) To attach with glue or as if by gluing.
Stick the label on the jar.

Stick

(transitive) To place, set down (quickly or carelessly).
Stick your bag over there and come with me.

Stick

(transitive) To press (something with a sharp point) into something else.
The balloon will pop when I stick this pin in it.
To stick a needle into one's finger

Stick

To stab.

Stick

(transitive) To fix on a pointed instrument; to impale.
To stick an apple on a fork

Stick

To adorn or deck with things fastened on as by piercing.

Stick

To perform (a landing) perfectly.
Once again, the world champion sticks the dismount.

Stick

To propagate plants by cuttings.
Stick cuttings from geraniums promptly.

Stick

To run or plane (mouldings) in a machine, in contradistinction to working them by hand. Such mouldings are said to be stuck.

Stick

To bring to a halt; to stymie; to puzzle.
To stick somebody with a hard problem

Stick

To impose upon; to compel to pay; sometimes, to cheat.

Stick

To have sexual intercourse with.

Stick

To stand pat: to cease taking any more cards and finalize one's hand.

Stick

(informal) Likely to stick; sticking, sticky.
A non-stick pan. A stick plaster.
A sticker type of glue. The stickest kind of gum.

Stick

A small shoot, or branch, separated, as by a cutting, from a tree or shrub; also, any stem or branch of a tree, of any size, cut for fuel or timber.
Withered sticks to gather, which might serveAgainst a winter's day.

Stick

Any long and comparatively slender piece of wood, whether in natural form or shaped with tools; a rod; a wand; a staff; as, the stick of a rocket; a walking stick.

Stick

Anything shaped like a stick; as, a stick of wax.

Stick

A derogatory expression for a person; one who is inert or stupid; as, an odd stick; a poor stick.

Stick

A composing stick. See under Composing. It is usually a frame of metal, but for posters, handbills, etc., one made of wood is used.

Stick

A thrust with a pointed instrument; a stab.

Stick

To penetrate with a pointed instrument; to pierce; to stab; hence, to kill by piercing; as, to stick a beast.
And sticked him with bodkins anon.
It was a shame . . . to stick him under the other gentleman's arm while he was redding the fray.

Stick

To cause to penetrate; to push, thrust, or drive, so as to pierce; as, to stick a needle into one's finger.
Thou stickest a dagger in me.

Stick

To fasten, attach, or cause to remain, by thrusting in; hence, also, to adorn or deck with things fastened on as by piercing; as, to stick a pin on the sleeve.
My shroud of white, stuck all with yew.
The points of spears are stuck within the shield.

Stick

To set; to fix in; as, to stick card teeth.

Stick

To set with something pointed; as, to stick cards.

Stick

To fix on a pointed instrument; to impale; as, to stick an apple on a fork.

Stick

To attach by causing to adhere to the surface; as, to stick on a plaster; to stick a stamp on an envelope; also, to attach in any manner.

Stick

To compose; to set, or arrange, in a composing stick; as, to stick type.

Stick

To run or plane (moldings) in a machine, in contradistinction to working them by hand. Such moldings are said to be stuck.

Stick

To cause to stick; to bring to a stand; to pose; to puzzle; as, to stick one with a hard problem.

Stick

To impose upon; to compel to pay; sometimes, to cheat.

Stick

To adhere; as, glue sticks to the fingers; paste sticks to the wall.
The green caterpillar breedeth in the inward parts of roses not blown, where the dew sticketh.

Stick

To remain where placed; to be fixed; to hold fast to any position so as to be moved with difficulty; to cling; to abide; to cleave; to be united closely.
A friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
I am a kind of bur; I shall stick.
If on your fame our sex a bolt has thrown,'T will ever stick through malice of your own.

Stick

To be prevented from going farther; to stop by reason of some obstacle; to be stayed.
I had most need of blessing, and "Amen"Stuck in my throat.
The trembling weapon passedThrough nine bull hides, . . . and stuck within the last.

Stick

To be embarrassed or puzzled; to hesitate; to be deterred, as by scruples; to scruple; - often with at.
They will stick long at part of a demonstration for want of perceiving the connection of two ideas.
Some stick not to say, that the parson and attorney forged a will.

Stick

To cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation.
This is the difficulty that sticks with the most reasonable.

Stick

Implement consisting of a length of wood;
He collected dry sticks for a campfire
The kid had a candied apple on a stick

Stick

A small thin branch of a tree

Stick

A lever used by a pilot to control the ailerons and elevators of an airplane

Stick

Informal terms of the leg;
Fever left him weak on his sticks

Stick

Marijuana leaves rolled into a cigarette for smoking

Stick

Threat of a penalty;
The policy so far is all stick and no carrot

Stick

Fix, force, or implant;
Lodge a bullet in the table

Stick

Stay put (in a certain place);
We are staying in Detroit; we are not moving to Cincinnati
Stay put in the corner here!
Stick around and you will learn something!

Stick

Cause to protrude or as if to protrude;
Stick one's hand out of the window
Stick one's nose into other people's business

Stick

Stick to firmly;
Will this wallpaper adhere to the wall?

Stick

Be or become fixed;
The door sticks--we will have to plane it

Stick

Endure;
The label stuck to her for the rest of her life

Stick

Be a devoted follower or supporter;
The residents of this village adhered to Catholicism
She sticks to her principles

Stick

Be loyal to;
She stood by her husband in times of trouble
The friends stuck together through the war

Stick

Cover and decorate with objects that pierce the surface;
Stick some feathers in the turkey before you serve it

Stick

Fasten with an adhesive material like glue;
Stick the poster onto the wall

Stick

Fasten with or as with pins or nails;
Stick the photo onto the corkboard

Stick

Fasten into place by fixing an end or point into something;
Stick the corner of the sheet under the mattress

Stick

Pierce with a thrust using a pointed instrument;
He stuck the cloth with the needle

Stick

Pierce or penetrate or puncture with something pointed;
He stuck the needle into his finger

Stick

Come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation;
The dress clings to her body
The label stuck to the box
The sushi rice grains cohere

Stick

Saddle with something disagreeable or disadvantageous;
They stuck me with the dinner bill
I was stung with a huge tax bill

Stick

Be a mystery or bewildering to;
This beats me!
Got me--I don't know the answer!
A vexing problem
This question really stuck me

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