oily

[oi-lee]

adjective

oilier, oiliest 

1. smeared or covered with oil; greasy.

   an oily road surface.

2. of the nature of, consisting of, or resembling oil.

3. of or relating to oil.

4. full of or containing oil.

5. smooth or unctuous, as in manner or speech.

   an oily hypocrite.

   Synonyms: smarmy

adverb

1. in an oily manner.

oily

/ ˈɔɪlɪ /

adjective

1. soaked in or smeared with oil or grease

2. consisting of, containing, or resembling oil

3. flatteringly servile or obsequious

Other Word Forms

• oiliness noun
• nonoily adjective
• unoily adjective
• oilily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of oily¹

First recorded in 1520–30; oil + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Great British Chefs specified that tonka’s “most distinctive feature” is their “enormous potency — heady vanilla flavours, with oily clove aromas, and perfumed magnolia, sandalwood notes.”

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It slid easily under the oily meat, again and again and again.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She pointed to the pond, which no longer had the foul odor or the oily sheen of the canal despite being just a few steps away.

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I’m team salsa macha — toasty, oily and laced with peanuts and chiles.

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Victoria's diet included cod liver oil, lard, salmon oil and oily fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon.

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Related Words

• buttery 
• creamy 
• oiled 
• slippery 
• waxy