Library / English Dictionary

    OILY

    Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

    Irregular inflected forms: oilier  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation, oiliest  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation

     I. (adjective) 

    Comparative and superlative

    Comparative: oilier  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation

    Superlative: oiliest  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation

    Sense 1

    Meaning:

    Smeared or soiled with grease or oilplay

    Example:

    get rid of rubbish and oily rags

    Synonyms:

    greasy; oily

    Classified under:

    Adjectives

    Similar:

    dirty; soiled; unclean (soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime)

    Derivation:

    oiliness (consisting of or covered with oil)

    Sense 2

    Meaning:

    Containing an unusual amount of grease or oilplay

    Example:

    oleaginous seeds

    Synonyms:

    greasy; oily; oleaginous; sebaceous

    Classified under:

    Adjectives

    Similar:

    fat; fatty (containing or composed of fat)

    Derivation:

    oil (any of a group of liquid edible fats that are obtained from plants)

    oiliness (consisting of or covered with oil)

    Sense 3

    Meaning:

    Coated or covered with oilplay

    Example:

    oily puddles in the streets

    Classified under:

    Adjectives

    Similar:

    coated (having a coating; covered with an outer layer or film; often used in combination)

    Derivation:

    oil (a slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water)

    oiliness (consisting of or covered with oil)

    Sense 4

    Meaning:

    Unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speechplay

    Example:

    soapy compliments

    Synonyms:

    buttery; fulsome; oily; oleaginous; smarmy; soapy; unctuous

    Classified under:

    Adjectives

    Similar:

    insincere (lacking sincerity)

    Derivation:

    oiliness (smug self-serving earnestness)

    Credits

     Context examples: 

    The oily resin extracted from Ferula galbaniflua.

    (Galbanum Oil, NCI Thesaurus)

    "Following a traditional Mediterranean diet that is high in plant-based foods and oily fish could be an easy, safe and effective way to reduce asthma symptoms in children," Professor Itsiopoulos said.

    (Fish-Rich Diet Beneficial for Children with Asthma, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

    A yellowish, oily, naturally occurring liquid with a clove-like aroma and is present in many essential oils.

    (Methyleugenol, NCI Thesaurus)

    A colorless, oily, highly flammable liquid with a strong, disagreeable odor that emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides upon decomposition.

    (Nitromethane, NCI Thesaurus)

    A yellow, oily liquid nitrosamine that solidifies at cold temperatures and emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides when heated to decomposition.

    (Nitrosonornicotine, NCI Thesaurus)

    The skin has a tendency to look dull and greasy and feels oily to the touch.

    (Oily Skin, NCI Thesaurus)

    A yellowish, oily, aromatic nitro-compound with an almond-like odor that emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides upon combustion.

    (Nitrobenzene, NCI Thesaurus)

    A pale yellow, oily, highly toxic, volatile, liquid alkylating compound with a sweet to garlic-like odor that evaporates to a poisonous gas.

    (Mustard Gas, NCI Thesaurus)

    The water-repellent long outer coat is flat, oily and slightly wavy with a thick oily undercoat.

    (Newfoundland, NCI Thesaurus)

    He dived out of the galley door, or glided rather, with a swiftness and smoothness of gait that struck me as being not so much cat-like as oily.

    (The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)


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