Gummy describes something that has a soft, sticky, chewy texture, like the gummy bears you might find in a candy store. These candies get their name because they feel slightly rubbery when you bite them, bouncing back against your teeth before you chew through them.

The texture comes from a substance called gelatin, which gives gummy candies their distinctive springy feel. Beyond candy, you might encounter gummy textures in overcooked pasta that's become soft and sticky, or in tape that's left a gummy residue on paper after you peel it off.

Gummy can also describe your gums when they feel sticky or uncomfortable, like after eating something very sweet. Some people's gums become sensitive or swollen, making them feel tender and gummy.

When something is gummy, it's not quite solid and not quite liquid: it's somewhere in between, sticking to things and stretching when pulled.