greasy
/ˈɡriː.si/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
- 1.
Covered with oil or fat, or feeling oily to the touch. Greasy food contains a lot of oil or fat.
- My hands felt greasy after the burger.
- This curry is too greasy for me.
- He wiped the greasy pan clean.
- 2.
Looking or feeling unpleasantly shiny because of oil, sweat, or dirt. It can also describe hair or skin that is not clean.
- His hair looked greasy after work.
- The table had a greasy surface.
- She hated the greasy smell in the kitchen.
- 3.
Not sincere or trustworthy, in a way that feels too smooth or flattering.
- His greasy smile made me uneasy.
- She disliked his greasy compliments.
- The salesman sounded greasy and fake.
Adinary Nuance
Greasy is more negative than oily. Use oily for a neutral description, like oily skin or oil-rich food. Use greasy when something feels unpleasant, dirty, or too rich. It can also mean fake or flattering in a critical way, which oily usually does not.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nhờn
- Spanish
- grasoso
- Chinese
- 油腻的
- Japanese
- 油っこい
- Korean
- 기름진
Etymology
Greasy comes from grease, which entered English from Old French in the Middle Ages. The ending -y means “full of” or “having the quality of.”
Common phrases
greasy spoongreasy hairgreasy foodgreasy hands
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is greasy the same as oily?
- Not exactly. Oily is often neutral, but greasy usually sounds more negative or unpleasant.
- Can greasy describe people?
- Yes, but usually in a negative way. It can mean fake, smooth, or too flattering.
- Is greasy used for food?
- Yes. It often describes food with too much oil or fat.
- How do I use greasy in a sentence?
- You can say, “The plate is greasy” or “He gave a greasy smile.”