oily

adjective

ˈȯi-lē 

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

ˈȯi-lə-lē 

adverb

oiliness

ˈȯi-lē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• adulatory
• fulsome
• gushing
• gushy
• hagiographic
• hagiographical
• oleaginous
• soapy
• unctuous

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

Its long-wearing formula is ideal for oily skin and helps reduce unwanted shine. —Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024

Whalers once thought this oily liquid was sperm, hence the name sperm whale. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024

Many oily substances can be comedogenic, which is a rather funny sounding medical term that means clogging up your pores. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

So was the oily film the off-putting mixture left on my tongue. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

oily

adjective

ˈȯi-lē 

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

ˈȯi-lē 

oilier; oiliest

1

: of, relating to, or consisting of oil

2

: excessively high in naturally secreted oils

oily hair

oily skin