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greaser

American  
[gree-ser] / ˈgri sər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that greases.

  2. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a Latin American, especially a Mexican.

  3. Slang. a swaggering young tough, especially a member of a street gang.


greaser British  
/ ˈɡriːzə, ˈɡriːsə /

noun

  1. a mechanic, esp of motor vehicles

  2. a semiskilled engine attendant aboard a merchant ship

  3. a young long-haired motorcyclist, usually one of a gang

  4. an unpleasant person, esp one who ingratiates himself with superiors

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of greaser

First recorded in 1635–45; grease + -er 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

When Sandy's parents enroll her in Rydell High, where Danny attends and is the leader of the greaser gang, the T-birds, the romance has a chance to continue.

From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2022

Grease is about US teenagers in the 1950s, with a summer romance between "good girl Sandy and greaser Danny" becoming complicated when they end up in the same high school.

From BBC ● May 10, 2022

The Beach Boys and their inspiration, the duo Jan and Dean, had inaugurated a school of rock ’n’ roll that had little to do with greaser rebellion.

From New York Times ● May 22, 2021

In October, he was Homer Simpson, a ’50s greaser and Seymour Krelborn from “Little Shop of Horrors.”

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 2, 2020

And they wasn’t a greaser gal amongst ’em, neither.

From Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher by Eleanor Gates

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