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

• greased
• lubricated
• oiled
• slick
• slicked
• slippery
• slippy
• slithery

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

Brice did just three takes for the final vocal, leaning on a greasy approach that couples the song’s sanguine soul with a splash of hopefulness. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 11 Dec. 2024

As someone with greasy hair—I'm talking within a day—using one of the best shampoos for oily hair gives me a layer of protection against excess shine, and makes perfecting my hair routine a lot easier. —Kristine Thomason, Glamour, 9 Dec. 2024

He is also described as having greasy black hair that reaches his shoulders and cold black eyes. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Our dinner options are greasy pizza or rubbery burgers, the undersides of the tables are speckled with wads of gum and the background noise is the shouting voices of children. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing greasy

• greasy spoon

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