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.

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ˈgreaser 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

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Etymology

Origin of greaser

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

Example Sentences

I’m specifically thinking of a cool Thermos-brand one — featuring Henry Winkler as the show’s pop-phenom greaser, Arthur Fonzarelli, a.k.a.

From New York Times • Jan. 15, 2024

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

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

From Seattle Times • Nov. 2, 2020

As the greaser began to cry, the Captain gave a roar of laughter and threw him aside upon the ground, about all the humanity he had shriveled out of him.

From Frontier Boys on the Coast or in the Pirate's Power by Roosevelt, Wyn