oily
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for oily, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Covered with, containing, or resembling oil.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Covered with, containing, or resembling oil.
“Her skin gets oily in the summer heat.”
2. adj
Excessively polite or flattering in an insincere way.
“The salesman had an oily charm that made her suspicious.”
Opposites
How to use oily
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
oily skin
oily food
an oily smile
Etymology
Comes from Middle English oylei, made up of oil and -y. Compare German ölig ("oily") and Swedish oljig ("oily").
Full origin of oily →Frequently asked questions
What does “oily” mean?
The word “oily” means covered with, containing, or resembling oil. In plain terms, greasy or oil-covered, or, describing a person, unpleasantly smooth and insincere.
How do you pronounce “oily”?
“Oily” is pronounced OY-lee (/ˈɔɪli/ in IPA).
How do you use “oily” in a sentence?
Here is “oily” used in a sentence: “Her skin gets oily in the summer heat.”
What part of speech is “oily”?
“Oily” is an adjective.
Is “oily” a common word?
“Oily” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “oily” have?
“Oily” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: covered with, containing, or resembling oil.
