Meaning & use
stuck
Last updated
“stuck” is a form of “stick”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectiveafter a verb
Unable to move or be moved from a position.
Grammar: Usually follows be, get or become: the door is stuck.
Patterns
- stuck in something
- stuck on something
- get stuck
The car was stuck in the mud.
This drawer is stuck.
He got stuck in the lift.
adjectiveafter a verb
Unable to continue with a task, or unable to solve a problem.
Grammar: Often used with on: stuck on question five.
Patterns
- stuck on something
- stuck for something
I'm stuck on the last math problem.
She was stuck for an answer.
He felt stuck in his career.
adjectiveafter a verbinformal
Forced to stay in a place or situation that one does not like.
Grammar: Often with with: stuck with a bill.
Patterns
- stuck with something
- stuck with someone
I'm stuck with the dishes again.
We were stuck with a bad contract.
She got stuck with the bill.
Common combinations
- get stuck
- The key got stuck in the lock.
- stuck in traffic
- We were stuck in traffic for an hour.
- stuck in a rut
- He felt stuck in a rut.
- stuck with
- I'm stuck with the cleanup.
- stuck at home
- They were stuck at home during the storm.
Synonyms and how they differ
- trapped
- Trapped suggests no way out, often with danger.
- jammed
- Jammed describes a part wedged tight, like a door or a machine.
- stranded
- Stranded means left without a way to leave a place.
- baffled
- Baffled means puzzled and is only for thinking, not physical position.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: stuck or stock?
stuck vs stock
Stock means a supply of goods and has a different meaning and vowel.
Practice
Which sentence uses stuck correctly?
Choose one answer.
Stuck as an adjective follows be and means unable to move. The other options have grammar errors.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “stuck”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.