unctuous

[ uhngk-choo-uh s ]

/ ˈʌŋk tʃu əs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unctuous ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, especially in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug.

of the nature of or characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy.

having an oily or soapy feel, as certain minerals.

Nearby words

uncrown, uncrowned, unctad, unction, unctuarium, unctuous, uncultivated, unculture, uncultured, uncurl, uncus

Origin of unctuous

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin ūnctuōsus, equivalent to Latin ūnctu(s) act of anointing (ung(uere) to smear, anoint + -tus suffix of v. action) + -ōsus -ous

Related forms

unc·tu·ous·ly, adverbunc·tu·ous·ness, unc·tu·os·i·ty

[uhngk-choo-os-i-tee] /ˌʌŋk tʃuˈɒs ɪ ti/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unctuous

Their righteous outbursts represent an ancient and unctuous form of Kabuki theater.
Forget the Wife Beating—Are You Ready for Some Football?|Steve Almond|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was an emotional speech, but a delightfully graceful, rather than unctuous and overblown, one.
The Changing Color of the Oscars: '12 Years A Slave' Makes History|Tim Teeman|March 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The memories of a hundred business trips came roaring back as I recalled the unctuous Cinnabon aroma that wafts through airports.
The Appeal of Cinnabon Vodka and the Rise of Flavored Vodkas|Daniel Gross|November 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But it would not cost you more than one thousand for that, said Balsamo, in his keen yet unctuous voice conveying no emotions.
The Mesmerist's Victim|Alexandre Dumas

"The Republican party is dead—dead as a door-nail," broke in an unctuous voice.
The Bell in the Fog and Other Stories|Gertrude Atherton
Dripping graced the table, but nobody touched it; it was too ghastly pale for a substitute, too unctuous for anything.
The Siege of Kimberley|T. Phelan
The East held itself aloof from him in unctuous self-righteousness, because of his stand in the Mexican War.
Children of the Market Place|Edgar Lee Masters
Long Jim had never before been so eloquent, and never before had his voice been so unctuous.
The Keepers of the Trail|Joseph A. Altsheler

British Dictionary definitions for unctuous

unctuous

/ (ˈʌŋktjʊəs) /

adjective

slippery or greasy

affecting an oily charm

Derived Forms

unctuosity (ˌʌŋktjʊˈɒsɪtɪ) or unctuousness, noununctuously, adverb

Word Origin for unctuous

C14: from Medieval Latin unctuōsus, from Latin unctum ointment, from ungere to anoint

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

unctuous

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of unctuous

Related forms

Examples from the Web for unctuous

British Dictionary definitions for unctuous

unctuous

adjective

Derived Forms

Word Origin for unctuous

Medicine definitions for unctuous

unctuous

adj.