greasy

[gree-see, ‑zee]

adjective

greasier, greasiest 

1. smeared, covered, or soiled with grease.

2. composed of or containing grease; oily.

   greasy food.

3. greaselike in appearance or to the touch; slippery.

4. insinuatingly unctuous in manner; repulsively slick; oily.

5. Veterinary Pathology.,  affected with grease.

greasy

/ -sɪ, ˈɡriːzɪ /

adjective

1. coated or soiled with or as if with grease

2. composed of or full of grease

3. resembling grease

4. unctuous or oily in manner

noun

1. a shearer

2. an outback cook, esp cooking for a number of men

Pronunciation Note

greasy is almost always pronounced as , with a medial , in the South Midland and Southern U.S. and as , with a medial , in New England, New York State, and the Great Lakes Basin. Speakers of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania are divided, with some using and some using . Standard British English reflects both and pronunciations and British folk speech is also divided regionally, with heard in the eastern counties and in the central and western ones. Both pronunciations were brought to the colonies, where the present U.S. pattern emerged.

Other Word Forms

• greasily adverb
• greasiness noun
• nongreasy adjective
• overgreasiness noun
• overgreasy adjective
• ungreasy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of greasy¹

First recorded in 1505–15

Example Sentences

Wales then had a chance of their own, Metcalfe involved once again, but Donna Rose knocked on in greasy conditions with the try line in sight.

From BBC

The tarmac beneath my feet is greasy and slippery with blood.

From BBC

It was a greasy surface, in fairness to the Scotland newbee.

From BBC

Wainwright was again Wales' inspiration when his grubber kick was spilled by Adams with the try line begging as the greasy ball struck again.

From BBC

But if you want to climb the greasy pole, it could be best to keep a stiff upper lip, at least in some organisations, says executive coach Shereen Hoban.

From BBC

Related Words

• creamy 
• fatty 
• slick