unctuous

unc·tu·ous

adjective \ˈəŋ(k)-chə-wəs, -chəs, -shwəs\

Definition of UNCTUOUS

1

a : fatty, oily

b : smooth and greasy in texture or appearance

2

: plastic <fine unctuous clay>

3

: full of unction; especially : revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spirituality

— unc·tu·ous·ly adverb

— unc·tu·ous·ness noun

Examples of UNCTUOUS

1. <an unctuous effort to appear religious to the voters>
2. <an unctuous appraisal of the musical talent shown by the boss's daughter>

Origin of UNCTUOUS

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

Related to UNCTUOUS

Synonyms

artificial, backhanded, counterfeit, double, double-dealing, double-faced, fake, feigned, hypocritical, Janus-faced, jive [slang], left-handed, lip, mealy, mealymouthed, Pecksniffian, phony (also phoney), phony-baloney (or phoney-baloney), pretended, two-faced, insincere

Antonyms

artless, candid, genuine, heartfelt, honest, sincere, undesigning, unfeigned

Related Words

affected, assumed, claptrap, contrived, forced, mechanical, put-on, simulated, strained, unnatural; empty, hollow, meaningless; deceitful, devious, dishonest, false, untruthful; facile, glib, superficial; bogus, sham; campy, facetious, jocular, tongue-in-cheek; canting, pharisaical, pious, sanctimonious, self-righteous, simon-pure

Near Antonyms

direct, forthright, frank, heart-to-heart, open, plain, straightforward

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

unc·tu·ous

adjective \ˈəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)s, ˈəŋ(k)sh-wəs\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of UNCTUOUS

: rich in oil or fat : fatty <an unctuous pharmaceutical preparation>