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stick to

B1 neutral inseparable transitive

To remain committed to a decision, plan, or rule; or to physically adhere to a surface.

In plain English

Don't change from what you decided, planned, or promised.

What does "stick to" mean?

4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 neutral

To continue with a plan, decision, or commitment without changing or giving up.

"If you want to lose weight, you need to stick to the diet for at least three months."

Stick to the plan.

— Breaking Bad, Season 3 (widely cited line; spoken by Walter White)
inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To remain on a subject and not digress or go off-topic.

"Please stick to the topic — we can discuss other issues after the meeting."

inseparable
3 A2 neutral

To physically cling or adhere to a surface.

"The wet leaves stuck to the windscreen and blocked the driver's view."

inseparable
4 B2 neutral

To limit oneself to a particular thing, avoiding other options.

"He doesn't drink spirits — he sticks to beer."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To be physically attached to and stay on a surface.

Actually means

Don't change from what you decided, planned, or promised.

Usage tip

Extremely versatile and common. 'Stick to the point/script/plan' are standard collocations. The physical sense (glue sticking) is transparent. 'Stick to your guns' is a fixed idiom meaning to maintain your position under pressure.

Words that pair with "stick to"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

plan diet decision point rules budget

How to conjugate "stick to"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
stick to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sticks to
he/she/it
Past simple
stuck to
yesterday
Past participle
stuck to
have + pp
-ing form
sticking to
continuous

Hear "stick to" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "stick to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "stick to"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

adhere to commit to follow hold to keep to stay with

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.