greasy

adjective

ˈgrē-sē  -zē 

greasier; greasiest

1

a

: smeared or soiled with grease

greasy clothes

b

: oily in appearance, texture, or manner

his greasy smile

—Jack London

c

: slippery

2

: containing an unusual amount of grease

greasy food

greasily

ˈgrē-sə-lē 

-zə-

adverb

greasiness

ˈgrē-sē-nəs 

-zē-

noun

Synonyms

• slicked
• slippery
• slick
• greased

Examples of greasy in a Sentence

My doctor told me to avoid greasy food.

that wet tarmac road is greasy enough to send the car into a skid

Recent Examples on the Web

Apricot kernel, olive, grape seed, and rice bran oils team up with squalane to deeply nourish and lock in moisture, leaving skin soft and supple without a greasy after-feel. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025

Gen Z is staring up from the bottom of the corporate ladder, but with AI job automation and economic headwinds, the prospect of landing a job—let alone climbing the greasy pole—is more daunting than ever. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025

Curie’s clean deodorant nourishes and protects the skin with a moisturizing, non-greasy formula that glides on smoothly without residue or irritation. —Kristen Philipkoski, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Dip a microfiber cloth into the water and then gently scrub away any greasy spots on your cabinets. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing greasy

• greasy spoon

Rhymes for greasy

• creasy
• fleecy

Kids Definition

greasy

adjective

ˈgrē-sē  -zē 

greasier; greasiest

1

: smeared with grease

2

: containing grease

greasy food

3

: resembling grease or oil : smooth, slippery

greasily

-sə-lē 

-zə-

adverb

greasiness

-sē-nəs 

-zē-

noun