oily
OY-lee
Oily (adj) means Covered with, containing, or resembling oil. Example: “Her skin gets oily in the summer heat.”
adj
1
Covered with, containing, or resembling oil.
"Her skin gets oily in the summer heat."
"The mechanic's hands were oily after fixing the engine."
2
Excessively polite or flattering in an insincere way.
"The salesman had an oily charm that made her suspicious."
How to use oily
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGreasy or oil-covered, or, describing a person, unpleasantly smooth and insincere.
Common pairings
oily skin
oily food
an oily smile
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Word forms
- Plural
- oilies
- Comparative
- oilier
- Superlative
- oiliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her skin gets _____ in the summer heat.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English oylei, made up of oil and -y. Compare German ölig ("oily") and Swedish oljig ("oily").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for oily
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.
