oily

[ oi-lee ]

adjective

, oil·i·er, oil·i·est.

1. smeared or covered with oil; greasy:

   an oily road surface.

2. of the nature of, consisting of, or resembling oil.
3. of or relating to oil.
4. full of or containing oil.
5. smooth or unctuous, as in manner or speech:

   an oily hypocrite.

   Synonyms: smarmy

adverb

1. in an oily manner.

oily

/ ˈɔɪlɪ /

adjective

1. soaked in or smeared with oil or grease
2. consisting of, containing, or resembling oil
3. flatteringly servile or obsequious

Derived Forms

• ˈoilily, adverb
• ˈoiliness, noun

Other Words From

• oili·ness noun
• non·oily adjective
• un·oily adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oily¹

First recorded in 1520–30; oil + -y ¹

Example Sentences

After a major pipeline rupture five years ago, he started photographing and filming pools of oily water and heaps of blackened soil in locations in Unity State, including sites near Roriak, where the herders live.

From BBC

Earlier this week he posted an Instagram video in which he declares that “Big oil big wigs are up to their oily shenanigans here in California.”

From Los Angeles Times

Chloropicrin - which the US says Russia has used to "dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions" - is an oily substance which was widely used during World War One.

From BBC

Aykroyd is the perfect oily salesman selling an impossibly absurd product.

From Los Angeles Times

Acne is a skin condition that causes spots and oily skin that is sometimes hot and painful to touch.

From BBC

Related Words

• buttery
• creamy
• oiled
• slippery
• waxy