Synonyms for

Oily

Verb / ˈɔɪli: / Another word for oily — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

covered or containing oil; greasy

Synonyms & similar words

soapy unctuous oleaginous sebaceous smarmy buttery greasy fulsome greasy slick fatty oiled fat unctuous buttery oleaginous smeary oceanic oleic rich shiny slippery smooth soapy sudsy fatlike fatty lubricious

Synonyms by register

Formal

greasy lipid sebaceous oleaginous

Informal

greasy slick greesy

Literary

unctuous viscous balmy

Antonyms

dry clean lean parched arid dehydrated

Common collocations

  • oily residue
  • oily skin
  • oily rag
  • oily fish
  • oily patch
  • oily sheen
  • oily surface

Word family

noun oil
adjective oily
adverb oily

Usage note

Often used to describe skin or hair that has too much natural oil. Can also describe a texture or a surface that is coated with oil or grease.

Example sentences

  1. The car engine needs oil to run smoothly, but too much can make it oily.
  2. My face gets oily when I forget to wash it.
  3. The chef added too much oil to the salad, making it too oily to eat.
  4. The floor was oily and slippery, so I had to be careful not to fall.
  5. The mechanic said the car needed an oily substance to fix the squeaking sound.

Quotes

  • The sun was shining on the oily sea, and the waves were dancing blissfully.
  • The frying pan was hot and oily, and the aroma of the cooking food filled the kitchen.
  • The mechanic wiped the oily sweat from his forehead and got back to work.

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