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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The palate is rich, oily, and full-bodied, with a long, warming finish. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Omega-3 is a fatty acid that is generally considered anti-inflammatory and good for the brain, also found in foods such as oily fish, walnuts and flaxseeds. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024 This product is infused with a ton of fast-working ingredients that are safe for both sensitive and oily skin. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024 Even oily skin types, who may typically prefer matte foundations for acne, sing the praises of this find. Claire Sullivan, WWD, 8 Oct. 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 15 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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