Stick vs. Bar — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
A stick is a slender piece of material, often wood, used for various purposes, while a bar is a solid, usually cylindrical, piece of material used in construction, manufacturing, or as a form of measurement.
Difference Between Stick and Bar
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A stick typically refers to a thin, elongated piece of wood or similar material, often found naturally or minimally processed. It's commonly associated with natural settings, crafts, or as a tool in various applications. A bar, on the other hand, denotes a more processed and uniform piece of material, such as metal, soap, or chocolate, shaped into a solid form for specific uses, indicating a higher level of manufacturing or refinement.
In terms of usage, sticks are often employed in informal or versatile contexts, such as kindling for fires, components in arts and crafts, or makeshift tools. Bars are used in more defined and structured roles, including as units of measurement in precious metals (gold bars), structural components in construction and engineering (reinforcement bars), or standardized products (candy bars).
When discussing dimensions and physical properties, sticks are generally characterized by their irregularity and variability in size, shape, and material composition. Bars, by contrast, are defined by their uniformity, with specific dimensions and materials tailored to their particular application, whether it's for consumption, construction, or commerce.
Culturally, the concept of a stick is often associated with simplicity, nature, and resourcefulness, evoking images of the outdoors and basic tools. The bar concept brings to mind industry, precision, and value, whether it's in the form of luxury items (like gold bars), everyday products (like soap bars), or elements of infrastructure (like steel bars).
From a linguistic standpoint, "stick" can be used both literally, to describe a piece of wood, and metaphorically, to signify thinness or an extension of the body (as in "stick figure" or "get one's sticks"). "Bar" also has varied uses, extending beyond its physical description to imply barriers (as in "barred from entry"), forms of establishment (like "bar and grill"), or legal professions (the "Bar" exam).
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A slender piece of wood or similar material.
A solid piece of material, often metal or chocolate.
Usage
Versatile, often in informal contexts.
Structured, specific applications in various fields.
Physical Properties
Variable size, irregular shape.
Uniform dimensions, specific materials.
Cultural Association
Simplicity, nature, resourcefulness.
Industry, precision, value.
Linguistic Use
Literal and metaphorical (thinness, extension).
Broad, including physical objects and abstract concepts.
Compare with Definitions
Stick
A thin piece of wood found in nature.
He picked up a stick to throw for the dog.
Bar
A unit of measurement for precious metals.
He invested in a 1kg gold bar.
Stick
An informal tool or piece in games and crafts.
We used sticks to build the model.
Bar
Denotes a specific shape and form in products.
She prefers soap bars over liquid soap.
Stick
Used metaphorically to describe something thin.
She's as thin as a stick.
Bar
A solid, processed object used in construction.
The building was reinforced with steel bars.
Stick
Represents simplicity or basic functionality.
A stick can be used for drawing in the sand.
Bar
A commercial product in a standardized shape.
My favorite candy bar is chocolate with almonds.
Stick
Can signify a natural, unprocessed state.
Finding the perfect walking stick in the woods.
Bar
Used to represent an obstacle or barrier.
The gate was secured with a metal bar.
Stick
A branch or stem that has fallen or been cut from a tree or shrub.
Bar
A long rigid piece of wood, metal, or similar material, typically used as an obstruction, fastening, or weapon
Bars on the windows
An iron bar
Stick
A piece of wood, such as a tree branch, that is used for fuel, cut for lumber, or shaped for a specific purpose.
Bar
A counter in a pub, restaurant, or cafe across which drinks or refreshments are served
Standing at the bar
Stick
A wand, staff, baton, or rod.
Bar
A barrier or restriction to an action or advance
Political differences are not necessarily a bar to a good relationship
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.
Bar
Any of the short sections or measures, typically of equal time value, into which a piece of music is divided, shown on a score by vertical lines across the stave
The opening bars of the first hymn
Stick
A walking stick; a cane.
Bar
A partition in a court room, now usually notional, beyond which most people may not pass and at which an accused person stands
The prisoner at the bar
Stick
Something that is long and thin
A stick of dynamite.
A stick of gum.
Bar
The profession of barrister
His dismissal from the Singapore Bar
Stick
(Slang) A marijuana cigarette.
Bar
A unit of pressure equivalent to a hundred thousand newtons per square metre or approximately one atmosphere.
Stick
The control device of an aircraft that operates the elevators and ailerons.
Bar
Fasten (something, especially a door or window) with a bar or bars
She bolted and barred the door
Stick
(Informal) A stick shift.
Bar
Prevent or prohibit (someone) from doing something or from going somewhere
Journalists had been barred from covering the elections
Stick
(Nautical) A mast or a part of a mast.
Bar
Mark (something) with bars or stripes
His face was barred with light
Stick
A group of bombs released to fall across an enemy target in a straight row.
Bar
Except for
His kids were all gone now, bar one
Stick
(Slang) A group of paratroopers exiting an aircraft in succession.
Bar
A relatively long, straight, rigid piece of solid material used as a fastener, support, barrier, or structural or mechanical member.
Stick
A timber tree.
Bar
A solid oblong block of a substance or combination of ingredients, such as soap or candy.
Stick
(Informal) A piece of furniture.
Bar
A usually rectangular slice of any of various flat baked confections that are typically dense in texture.
Stick
A poke, thrust, or stab with a stick or similar object
A stick in the ribs.
Bar
A rectangular block of a precious metal.
Stick
A threatened penalty
Using both a carrot and a stick to keep allies in line.
Bar
See horizontal bar.
Stick
The condition or power of adhering
A glue with plenty of stick.
Bar
A horizontal rod that marks the height to be cleared in high jumping or pole vaulting.
Stick
A remote area; backwoods
Moved to the sticks.
Bar
A standard, expectation, or degree of requirement
A leader whose example set a high bar for others.
Stick
A city or town regarded as dull or unsophisticated.
Bar
Something that impedes or prevents action or progress
A poor education was a bar to his ambitions.
Stick
(Informal) A person regarded as stiff, boring, or spiritless.
Bar
A ridge, as of sand or gravel, on a shore or streambed, that is formed by the action of tides or currents.
Stick
(Obsolete) A difficulty or obstacle; a delay.
Bar
A narrow marking, as a stripe or band.
Stick
To pierce, puncture, or penetrate with a pointed instrument
Stick a fingertip with a pin.
Bar
A narrow metal or embroidered strip worn on a military uniform indicating rank or service.
Stick
To kill by piercing
Stick a pig.
Bar
Chiefly British A small insignia worn on a military decoration indicating that it has been awarded an additional time.
Stick
To thrust or push (a pointed instrument) into or through another object
Stuck a fork into the turkey.
Bar
(Heraldry) A pair of horizontal parallel lines drawn across a shield.
Stick
To jab or poke (a pointed or narrow instrument) into or against
The robber stuck a pistol in my ribs.
Bar
The nullification, defeat, or prevention of a claim or action.
Stick
To place or position by pushing or thrusting
Stick candles on the cake.
Stick a flower through a buttonhole.
Bar
The process by which nullification, defeat, or prevention is achieved.
Stick
To fix, impale, or transfix on a pointed object
Stick an olive on a toothpick.
Bar
The railing in a courtroom separating the participants in a legal proceeding from the spectators.
Stick
To cover or decorate with objects piercing the surface
Stick a map with pins.
Bar
A court or courtroom.
Stick
To fasten into place by forcing an end or point into something
Stick a tack on the wall.
Bar
Attorneys considered as a group. Used with the.
Stick
To fasten or attach with pins, nails, or similar devices
Stuck the announcement on the bulletin board.
Bar
The profession of law. Used with the.
Stick
To fasten or attach with an adhesive material, such as glue or tape.
Bar
A vertical line drawn through a staff to mark off a measure.
Stick
(Sports) To execute (a landing or dismount) in gymnastics so that the feet do not move after they hit the ground.
Bar
A measure.
Stick
To detain or delay
We were stuck at the airport overnight.
Bar
Variant of barre.
Stick
(Informal) To confuse, baffle, or puzzle
I started doing the math problems, but I got stuck.
Bar
A counter at which drinks, especially alcoholic drinks, and sometimes food, are served.
Stick
Past tense and past participle sticked (stĭkt) To prop (a plant) with sticks or brush on which to grow.
Bar
An establishment or room having such a counter.
Stick
Past tense and past participle sticked Printing To set (type) in a composing stick.
Bar
A unit of pressure equal to one million (106) dynes per square centimeter.
Stick
To cover or smear with something sticky.
Bar
To fasten securely with a long, straight, rigid piece of material
Barred the gate.
Stick
(Informal) To put blame or responsibility on; burden
Stuck me with the bill.
Bar
To shut in or confine
Barred themselves in the basement.
Stick
(Slang) To defraud or cheat
The dealer stuck me with shoddy merchandise.
Bar
To obstruct or impede; block
Barred the access route.
Stick
To be or become fixed or embedded in place by having the point thrust in
The spear stuck in the shield.
Bar
To keep out; exclude
Tourists are barred from this room.
Stick
To become or remain attached or in close association; cling
Stick together in a crowd.
Bar
To prohibit or prevent (someone) from doing something
Failing the eye exam barred him from driving.
Stick
To remain firm, determined, or resolute
Stuck to basic principles.
Bar
To prohibit (an action)
The state bars the dumping of waste in the river.
Stick
To remain loyal or faithful
Stuck by her through hard times.
Bar
(Law) To nullify, defeat, or prevent (a claim or action).
Stick
To persist or endure
A bad name that has stuck.
Bar
To rule out; except
Can we bar the possibility of foul play?.
Stick
To scruple or hesitate
She sticks at nothing—no matter how difficult.
Bar
To mark with stripes or bands.
Stick
To become fixed, blocked, checked, or obstructed
The drawer stuck and would not open.
Bar
Chiefly British Except for; excluding
This was your best performance, bar none.
Stick
To project or protrude
Hair sticking out on his head.
Bar
A solid, more or less rigid object of metal or wood with a uniform cross-section smaller than its length.
The window was protected by steel bars.
Stick
(Sports) To throw a jab in boxing.
Bar
A solid metal object with uniform (round, square, hexagonal, octagonal or rectangular) cross-section; in the US its smallest dimension is 4 inch or greater, a piece of thinner material being called a strip.
Ancient Sparta used iron bars instead of handy coins in more valuable alloy, to physically discourage the use of money.
We are expecting a carload of bar tomorrow.
Stick
An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.
Bar
A cuboid piece of any solid commodity.
Bar of chocolate
Bar of soap
Stick
A small, thin branch from a tree or bush; a twig; a branch.
The beaver's dam was made out of sticks.
Bar
A broad shaft, band, or stripe.
A bar of light
A bar of colour
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.
Bar
A long, narrow drawn or printed rectangle, cuboid or cylinder, especially as used in a bar code or a bar chart.
Stick
(US) A timber board, especially a two by four (inches).
I found enough sticks in dumpsters at construction sites to build my shed.
Bar
(typography) Any of various lines used as punctuation or diacritics, such as the pipe ⟨{{!}}⟩, fraction bar (as in 12), and strikethrough (as in Ⱥ), formerly including oblique marks such as the slash.
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.
Bar
(mathematics) The sign indicating that the characteristic of a logarithm is negative, conventionally placed above the digit(s) to show that it applies to the characteristic only and not to the mantissa.
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.
Bar
(physics) A similar sign indicating that the charge on a particle is the negative of its usual value (and that consequently the particle is in fact an antiparticle).
Stick
(carpentry) The vertical member of a cope-and-stick joint.
Bar
A business selling alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises, or the premises themselves; a public house.
The street was lined with all-night bars.
Stick
(nautical) A mast or part of a mast of a ship; also, a yard.
Bar
The counter of such premises.
Step up to the bar and order a drink.
Stick
(figuratively) A piece (of furniture, especially if wooden).
We were so poor we didn't have one stick of furniture.
Bar
A counter, or simply a cabinet, from which alcoholic drinks are served in a private house or a hotel room.
Stick
Any roughly cylindrical (or rectangular) unit of a substance.
Sealing wax is available as a cylindrical or rectangular stick.
Bar
, juice bar, etc.}} Premises or a counter serving any type of beverage.
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.
Bar
An establishment where alcohol and sometimes other refreshments are served.
Stick
A standard rectangular strip of chewing gum.
Don’t hog all that gum, give me a stick!
Bar
An informal establishment selling food to be consumed on the premises.
A burger bar
A local fish bar
Stick
(slang) A cigarette usually a tobacco cigarette, less often a marijuana cigarette.
Cigarettes are taxed at one dollar per stick.
Bar
An establishment offering cosmetic services.
A nail bar; a brow bar
Stick
Material or objects attached to a stick or the like.
Bar
An official order or pronouncement that prohibits some activity.
The club has lifted its bar on women members.
Stick
A bunch of something wrapped around or attached to a stick.
My parents bought us each a stick of cotton candy.
Bar
Anything that obstructs, hinders, or prevents; an obstruction; a barrier.
Stick
(archaic) A scroll that is rolled around (mounted on, attached to) a stick.
Bar
A metasyntactic variable representing an unspecified entity, often the second in a series, following foo.
Suppose we have four objects, foo, bar, baz and quux.
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.
Bar
A dividing line (physical or notional) in the chamber of a legislature beyond which only members and officials may pass.
Stick
A tool, control, or instrument shaped somewhat like a stick.
Bar
The railing surrounding the part of a courtroom in which the judges, lawyers, defendants and witnesses stay.
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.
Bar
The bar exam, the legal licensing exam.
He's studying hard to pass the Bar this time; he's failed it twice before.
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.
Bar
Collectively, lawyers or the legal profession; specifically applied to barristers in some countries, but including all lawyers in others.
He was called to the bar, he became a barrister.
Stick
Use of the stick to control the aircraft.
Bar
One of an array of bar-shaped symbols that display the level of something, such as wireless signal strength or battery life remaining.
I don't have any bars in the middle of this desert.
Stick
(computing) A memory stick.
Bar
(music) A vertical line across a musical staff dividing written music into sections, typically of equal durational value.
Stick
(slang) A handgun.
Bar
(music) One of those musical sections.
Stick
A composing stick, the tool used by compositors to assemble lines of type.
Bar
(sports) A horizontal pole that must be crossed in the high jump and pole vault.
Stick
The clarinet.
Bar
(metaphorical) Any level of achievement regarded as a challenge to be overcome.
Stick
(sports) A stick-like item:
Bar
The crossbar.
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.
Bar
(backgammon) The central divider between the inner and outer table of a backgammon board, where stones are placed if they are hit.
Stick
(horse racing) The short whip carried by a jockey.
Bar
An addition to a military medal, on account of a subsequent act.
Stick
(boardsports) A board as used in board sports, such as a surfboard, snowboard, or skateboard.
Bar
A linear shoaling landform feature within a body of water.
Stick
(golf) The pole bearing a small flag that marks the hole.
His wedge shot bounced off the stick and went in the hole.
Bar
A ridge or succession of ridges of sand or other substance, especially a formation extending across the mouth of a river or harbor or off a beach, and which may obstruct navigation. (FM 55-501).
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.
Bar
(heraldry) One of the ordinaries in heraldry; a diminutive of a fess.
Stick
Ability; specifically:
Bar
A city gate, in some British place names.
Stick
(golf) The long-range driving ability of a golf club.
Bar
(mining) A drilling or tamping rod.
Stick
(baseball) The potential hitting power of a specific bat.
Bar
(mining) A vein or dike crossing a lode.
Stick
(baseball) General hitting ability.
Bar
(architecture) A gatehouse of a castle or fortified town.
Stick
(hockey) The potential accuracy of a hockey stick, implicating also the player using it.
Bar
(farriery) The part of the crust of a horse's hoof which is bent inwards towards the frog at the heel on each side, and extends into the centre of the sole.
Stick
A person or group of people. (Perhaps, in some senses, because people are, broadly speaking, tall and thin, like pieces of wood.)
Bar
The space between the tusks and grinders in the upper jaw of a horse, in which the bit is placed.
Stick
A thin or wiry person; particularly a flat-chested woman.
Bar
(slang) A measure of drugs, typically one ounce.
Stick
(magic) An assistant planted in the audience.
Bar
A non-SI unit of pressure equal to 100,000 pascals, approximately equal to atmospheric pressure at sea level.
Stick
(gambling) A shill or house player.
Bar
(transitive) To obstruct the passage of (someone or something).
Our way was barred by a huge rockfall.
Stick
A stiff, stupidly obstinate person.
Bar
(transitive) To prohibit.
I couldn't get into the nightclub because I had been barred.
Stick
A fighter pilot.
Bar
(transitive) To lock or bolt with a bar.
Bar the door
Stick
A small group of (infantry) soldiers.
Bar
To imprint or paint with bars, to stripe.
Stick
Encouragement or punishment, or (resulting) vigour or other improved behavior.
Bar
Except, other than, besides.
He invited everyone to his wedding bar his ex-wife.
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.)
Bar
(horse racing) Denotes the minimum odds offered on other horses not mentioned by name.
Leg At Each Corner is at 3/1, Lost My Shirt 5/1, and it's 10/1 bar.
Stick
Corporal punishment; beatings.
Bar
A piece of wood, metal, or other material, long in proportion to its breadth or thickness, used as a lever and for various other purposes, but especially for a hindrance, obstruction, or fastening; as, the bars of a fence or gate; the bar of a door.
Thou shalt make bars of shittim wood.
Stick
(slang) Vigor; spirit; effort, energy, intensity.
Give it some stick!
Bar
An indefinite quantity of some substance, so shaped as to be long in proportion to its breadth and thickness; as, a bar of gold or of lead; a bar of soap.
Stick
(slang) Vigorous driving of a car; gas.
Bar
Anything which obstructs, hinders, or prevents; an obstruction; a barrier.
Must I new bars to my own joy create?
Stick
A measure.
Bar
A bank of sand, gravel, or other matter, esp. at the mouth of a river or harbor, obstructing navigation.
Stick
(obsolete) An English Imperial unit of length equal to 2 inches.
Bar
Any railing that divides a room, or office, or hall of assembly, in order to reserve a space for those having special privileges; as, the bar of the House of Commons.
Stick
A quantity of eels, usually 25.
Bar
The railing that incloses the place which counsel occupy in courts of justice. Hence, the phrase at the bar of the court signifies in open court.
Stick
(motor racing) The traction of tires on the road surface.
Bar
Any tribunal; as, the bar of public opinion; the bar of God.
Stick
(fishing) The amount of fishing line resting on the water surface before a cast; line stick.
Bar
A barrier or counter, over which liquors and food are passed to customers; hence, the portion of the room behind the counter where liquors for sale are kept.
Stick
A thrust with a pointed instrument; a stab.
Bar
An ordinary, like a fess but narrower, occupying only one fifth part of the field.
Stick
Criticism or ridicule.
Bar
A broad shaft, or band, or stripe; as, a bar of light; a bar of color.
Stick
(carpentry) To cut a piece of wood to be the stick member of a cope-and-stick joint.
Bar
A vertical line across the staff. Bars divide the staff into spaces which represent measures, and are themselves called measures.
Stick
To compose; to set, or arrange, in a composing stick.
To stick type
Bar
The space between the tusks and grinders in the upper jaw of a horse, in which the bit is placed.
Stick
(transitive) To furnish or set with sticks.
Bar
A drilling or tamping rod.
Stick
(intransitive) To become or remain attached; to adhere.
The tape will not stick if it melts.
Bar
A gatehouse of a castle or fortified town.
Stick
(intransitive) To jam; to stop moving.
The lever sticks if you push it too far up.
Bar
To fasten with a bar; as, to bar a door or gate.
Stick
(transitive) To tolerate, to endure, to stick with.
Bar
To restrict or confine, as if by a bar; to hinder; to obstruct; to prevent; to prohibit; as, to bar the entrance of evil; distance bars our intercourse; the statute bars my right; the right is barred by time; a release bars the plaintiff's recovery; - sometimes with up.
He barely looked the idea in the face, and hastened to bar it in its dungeon.
Stick
(intransitive) To persist.
His old nickname stuck.
Bar
To except; to exclude by exception.
Nay, but I bar to-night: you shall not gauge meBy what we do to-night.
Stick
(intransitive) Of snow, to remain frozen on landing.
Bar
To cross with one or more stripes or lines.
For the sake of distinguishing the feet more clearly, I have barred them singly.
Stick
(intransitive) To remain loyal; to remain firm.
Just stick to your strategy, and you will win.
Bar
A room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter;
He drowned his sorrows in whiskey at the bar
Stick
To hesitate, to be reluctant; to refuse (in negative phrases).
Bar
A counter where you can obtain food or drink;
He bought a hot dog and a coke at the bar
Stick
To be puzzled (at something), have difficulty understanding.
Bar
A rigid piece of metal or wood; usually used as a fastening or obstruction or weapon;
There were bars in the windows to prevent escape
Stick
To cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation.
Bar
Musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats;
The orchestra omitted the last twelve bars of the song
Stick
(transitive) To attach with glue or as if by gluing.
Stick the label on the jar.
Bar
An obstruction (usually metal) placed at the top of a goal;
It was an excellent kick but the ball hit the bar
Stick
(transitive) To place, set down (quickly or carelessly).
Stick your bag over there and come with me.
Bar
The act of preventing;
There was no bar against leaving
Money was allocated to study the cause and prevention of influenza
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
Bar
(meteorology) a unit of pressure equal to a million dynes per square centimeter;
Unfortunately some writers have used bar for one dyne per square centimeter
Stick
To stab.
Bar
A submerged (or partly submerged) ridge in a river or along a shore;
The boat ran aground on a submerged bar in the river
Stick
(transitive) To fix on a pointed instrument; to impale.
To stick an apple on a fork
Bar
The body of individuals qualified to practice law in a particular jurisdiction;
He was admitted to the bar in New Jersey
Stick
To adorn or deck with things fastened on as by piercing.
Bar
A block of solid substance (such as soap or wax);
A bar of chocolate
Stick
To perform (a landing) perfectly.
Once again, the world champion sticks the dismount.
Bar
A portable .30 caliber magazine-fed automatic rifle operated by gas pressure; used by United States troops in World War I and in World War II and in the Korean War
Stick
To propagate plants by cuttings.
Stick cuttings from geraniums promptly.
Bar
A horizontal rod that serves as a support for gymnasts as they perform exercises
Stick
To run or plane (mouldings) in a machine, in contradistinction to working them by hand. Such mouldings are said to be stuck.
Bar
A heating element in an electric fire;
An electric fire with three bars
Stick
To bring to a halt; to stymie; to puzzle.
To stick somebody with a hard problem
Bar
(law) a railing that encloses the part of the courtroom where the judges and lawyers sit and the case is tried;
Spectators were not allowed past the bar
Stick
To impose upon; to compel to pay; sometimes, to cheat.
Bar
Prevent from entering; keep out;
He was barred from membership in the club
Stick
To stand pat: to cease taking any more cards and finalize one's hand.
Bar
Render unsuitable for passage;
Block the way
Barricade the streets
Stop the busy road
Stick
(informal) Likely to stick; sticking, sticky.
A non-stick pan. A stick plaster.
A sticker type of glue. The stickest kind of gum.
Bar
Expel, as if by official decree;
He was banished from his own country
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.
Bar
Secure with, or as if with, bars;
He barred the door
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 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
Common Curiosities
Can a stick be considered a bar?
In casual language, a stick could be considered a type of bar, especially if it resembles the shape and function of a bar, but they typically denote different things.
Can the term "stick" refer to materials other than wood?
Yes, "stick" can refer to materials with similar dimensions and properties, not just wood.
Is a gold bar the same as a bullion?
Yes, a gold bar is a type of bullion, specifically shaped into a bar for storage and investment.
Why are some products specifically shaped into bars?
Shaping products into bars can make them easier to handle, store, and use, especially for items like soap and chocolate.
Can the concept of a bar be abstract?
Yes, "bar" can also refer to abstract concepts, such as legal barriers or societal norms.
Are all bars made of metal?
No, bars can be made from a variety of materials, including chocolate, soap, and precious metals.
What role do sticks and bars play in construction?
Sticks might be used for informal or temporary structures, while bars are integral to formal construction and reinforcement.
Are bars always solid?
Yes, by definition, bars are solid forms of various materials, differing in use and composition.
What makes a stick a preferred tool in survival situations?
Its availability in nature and versatility in uses from fire-making to hunting tools make sticks preferred in survival scenarios.
How is a "stick" different from a "twig"?
A stick is generally larger and sturdier than a twig, which is thinner and more delicate.
How do the uses of sticks and bars reflect human culture?
Sticks reflect a connection to nature and simplicity, while bars reflect human industry, precision, and the value placed on certain materials.
Can the size of a bar indicate its value?
In the context of precious metals, the size of the bar often directly correlates with its value.
Why might someone choose a soap bar over liquid soap?
Preferences for soap bars can include environmental concerns, tradition, or perceived value and quality.
How does the design of a bar impact its functionality?
The uniform shape and solidity of bars are designed for ease of use, efficiency in function, and aesthetic appeal in their respective applications.
What historical significance do sticks and bars hold?
Both have played crucial roles throughout history, from simple tools and weapons made of sticks to bars used in trade and as currency.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
