oleaginous

[ oh-lee-aj-uh-nuhs ]

adjective

1. having the nature or qualities of oil.
2. containing oil.
3. producing oil.
4. unctuous; fawning; smarmy.

oleaginous

/ ˌəʊlɪˈædʒɪnəs /

adjective

1. resembling or having the properties of oil
2. containing or producing oil

Other Words From

• ole·agi·nous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of oleaginous¹

First recorded in 1425–50; Middle English oliaginose, (from Middle French oléagineux), from Latin oleāgineus, oleāginius, oleāginus “pertaining to an olive tree,” derivative of olea “olive, olive tree” ( olive )

Word History and Origins

Origin of oleaginous¹

C17: from Latin oleāginus, from olea olive ; see also oil

Example Sentences

But the most villainous entity they encounter is a duplicitous schemer played with oleaginous insincerity by Hugh Grant.

From Seattle Times

It's easy for this approach to look rather oleaginous.

From Salon

Last night he suggested in his usual oleaginous way that mean people on Twitter are worse than a dictator who poisons and imprisons his political adversaries.

From Salon

Naturally, the oleaginous Senator from Texas, Ted Cruz, got in on the act:

From Salon

By late Thursday even the oleaginous Ted Cruz was backtracking as fast as he could while Hawley whined on Twitter about his book on Big Tech being canceled due to his actions.

From Salon