gloppy

Gloppy is an informal English adjective describing a thick, sticky, viscous, and often somewhat lump-filled texture. It is typically applied to substances that are sticky and hard to spoon or pour, such as certain sauces that have become thick, overcooked mashed potatoes that clump, mud, slime, paint that has thickened, or other viscous mixtures. The term conveys a negative or unappetizing impression, emphasizing unwanted heaviness and clinginess rather than smoothness.

Etymology and usage: Gloppy is derived from glop, a noun for a lump of sticky material, with the adjectival suffix -y. The word is primarily found in informal speech and writing and tends to appear in descriptive, humorous, or casual contexts. It is not a technical term; in scientific or professional writing, more precise descriptors such as viscous, thickened, or glaze-like would be preferred.

Across dialects, the related form gloopy (British English) carries a similar meaning, though some speakers distinguish gloppy as thicker or lumpier. Gloppy can also be used metaphorically to describe non-physical situations that feel heavy or burdensome, such as a "gloppy" mood or a "gloppy" atmosphere, though this sense is less common.

See also: goo, gooey, glop, gloop, slime, viscous, texture.