oilier; oiliest
1
: of, relating to, or consisting of oil
2
a
: covered or impregnated with oil
oily rags
b
: relatively high in naturally secreted oils
oily skin
oily hair
3
: excessively smooth or suave in manner
oilily adverb
oiliness noun

Examples of oily in a Sentence

The liquid has an oily feel. a pile of oily rags The salad dressing was very oily.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jojoba oil is an oily wax made from the seed of the jojoba plant, a desert shrub. Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 12 Dec. 2024 When rain falls through them, the metals react, leaving polluted puddles with an oily sheen to seep into nearby creeks. John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024 The palate presents a sweet, oily viscosity, featuring caramel, butterscotch, and a hint of wood spice. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Dab away the oily residue using a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oily 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of oily was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near oily

Cite this Entry

“Oily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oily. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

oily

adjective
oilier; oiliest
1
: of, relating to, or consisting of oil
2
a
: covered or soaked with oil
b
: high in oils that are naturally produced
oily skin
oiliness noun

Medical Definition

oily

adjective
oilier; oiliest
1
: of, relating to, or consisting of oil
2
: excessively high in naturally secreted oils
oily hair
oily skin

More from Merriam-Webster on oily

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