# viscous

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈvɪs.kəs/ · frequency rank #31,400

## Definitions
1. Having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid (that is, a high viscosity).
2. Of or pertaining to viscosity.

## Etymology
First attested in 1605. Borrowed from Middle French visqueux and Late Latin viscōsus, from Latin viscum (“birdlime”). Doublet of viscose.

## Easily confused with
- **visions** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/viscous-vs-visions)
- **vicious** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vicious-vs-viscous)
- **viscount** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/viscount-vs-viscous)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ivscous`, `vicsous`, `visccous`, `viscosu`, `viscouss`, `viscuos`, `visocus`, `visscous`, `vsicous`, `vviscous`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/viscous