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adj Uncommon

greasy

GREE-see

Greasy (adj) means Covered in or containing a lot of grease or fat. Example: “The takeaway box was soaked through with greasy fries.”

adj
1
Covered in or containing a lot of grease or fat.
"The takeaway box was soaked through with greasy fries."
"His hair looked greasy after a day without washing it."
2
Overly flattering or ingratiating in manner; slippery in a social sense.
"The salesman had a greasy charm that made her distrust him instantly."

How to use greasy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally oily or fatty, or figuratively someone whose charm feels slick and untrustworthy.

Common pairings
greasy food greasy hair greasy smile

Word forms

greasier comparative, greasies plural, greasiest superlative

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The takeaway box was soaked through with _____ fries.

Etymology

From Middle English gresy, formed from grease plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for greasy

See all rhymes for greasy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “greasy” mean?

The word “greasy” means covered in or containing a lot of grease or fat. In plain terms, literally oily or fatty, or figuratively someone whose charm feels slick and untrustworthy.

How do you pronounce “greasy”?

“Greasy” is pronounced GREE-see (/ˈɡɹi.si/ in IPA).

How do you use “greasy” in a sentence?

Here is “greasy” used in a sentence: “The takeaway box was soaked through with greasy fries.”

What part of speech is “greasy”?

“Greasy” is an adjective.

Where does the word “greasy” come from?

The word “greasy” comes from Middle English. From Middle English gresy, formed from grease plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.

Is “greasy” a common word?

“Greasy” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “greasy” have?

“Greasy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: covered in or containing a lot of grease or fat.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial