unctuous

adjective

unc·​tu·​ous ˈəŋ(k)-chə-wəs 

-chəs, 

-shwəs

1

: having, revealing, or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spirituality

an unctuous appraisal of the boss's decision

2

a

: fatty, oily

… delectably unctuous bacon-wrapped black cod.

—Caroline Bates

b

: smooth and greasy in texture or appearance

3

: plastic

fine unctuous clay

unctuously adverb

unctuousness noun

Did you know?

Unctuous is a slippery word in multiple ways. Its ultimate source is a Latin word meaning “to anoint; to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance,” and this oily character was key to the word’s meaning when it first appeared in the 14th century, as when John Trevisa wrote “Þe fruit of olyue is ful of liȝt, likynge, and vnctuous” (in modern English: “the olive fruit is bright, delicious, and unctuous”). Unctuous here means “fatty” or “oily,” as did its immediate Medieval Latin predecessor unctuosus. This same use of unctuous is quite prominent today, as the word often describes deliciously fatty foods and the sensation of such foods on the palate (as in “an unctuous mouthfeel”). But come across unctuous in literature of the 19th or 20th century and you’re more likely to see a less pleasant application, with the word describing a person or behavior that is figuratively oily—that is, overly or insincerely flattering.

Synonyms of unctuous

• fake
• double
• lip
• strained
• superficial
• hypocritical
• insincere
• meaningless
• hollow
• artificial
• pious
• phony
• unnatural
• feigned

Examples of unctuous in a Sentence

an unctuous effort to appear religious to the voters

an unctuous appraisal of the musical talent shown by the boss's daughter

Recent Examples on the Web

All the women are obsessed with an oily, unctuous man named Johnny Thunders (Dougray Scott), who’s now married to Elle’s ex-lover Dominique (Liu). —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 May 2026

Zesty juniper-forward versions soar in a classic Negroni, floral gins impress in a rosy gin-kombucha cocktail, and unctuous savory gin is indelible in a 50/50 martini. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026

Ella Stiller arrives as Patience, Valerie’s social-media guru, Jack O’Brien sweetly plays her new hairdresser, and Andrew Scott, doing the most to eradicate any lingering Hot Priest vibes, plays a wildly unctuous NuNet executive. —Jennifer Silverman, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026

For the richest, densest, most unctuous quiche, choose heavy cream. —Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French unctueus, from Medieval Latin unctuosus, from Latin unctus act of anointing, from unguere to anoint

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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Kids Definition

unctuous

adjective

unc·​tu·​ous ˈəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)s 

ˈəŋ(k)sh-wəs

1

: smooth and greasy like an ointment : oily

2

: too smooth, polite, and agreeable in speech or manner

unctuously adverb

unctuousness noun

Medical Definition

unctuous

adjective

unc·​tu·​ous ˈəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)s, ˈəŋ(k)sh-wəs 

: rich in oil or fat : fatty

an unctuous pharmaceutical preparation