adj B1 Intermediate Uncommon

oily

OY-lee

Oily (adj) means Covered with, containing, or resembling oil. Example: “Her skin gets oily in the summer heat.”

adj

Covered with, containing, or resembling oil.

"Her skin gets oily in the summer heat."

"The mechanic's hands were oily after fixing the engine."

Excessively polite or flattering in an insincere way.

"The salesman had an oily charm that made her suspicious."

How to use oily

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGreasy or oil-covered, or, describing a person, unpleasantly smooth and insincere.

Common pairings

oily skin oily food an oily smile

Word forms

oilier comparative, oilies plural, oiliest superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “oily” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her skin gets _____ in the summer heat.

Etymology

From Middle English oylei, equivalent to oil + -y. Compare German ölig (“oily”), Swedish oljig (“oily”).

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for oily

ILY lily wily daily gaily Emily doily family Sicily easily bodily verily

See all rhymes for 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.