An adhesive composition includes 5 to 40% wt polyvinylpyrrolidone; 3 to 20% wt alkanoate blend including a first Cn carboxylic acid salt and a second Cm carboxylic acid salt, where n and m are integers in a range from 12 to 22; 20 to 60% wt of a water-soluble or water-dispersable solid material; 0.5 to 30 wt % of a liquid polyhydric alcohol; and 15 to 60% wt water. The adhesive composition can be clear and in glue stick form.