greasy

adjective

ˈgrē-sē  -zē 

greasier; greasiest

1

a

: smeared or soiled with grease

greasy clothes

b

: oily in appearance, texture, or manner

his greasy smile

—Jack London

c

: slippery

2

: containing an unusual amount of grease

greasy food

greasily

ˈgrē-sə-lē 

-zə-

adverb

greasiness

ˈgrē-sē-nəs 

-zē-

noun

Synonyms

• greased
• lubricated
• oiled
• slick
• slicked
• slippery
• slippy
• slithery

Examples of greasy in a Sentence

My doctor told me to avoid greasy food.

that wet tarmac road is greasy enough to send the car into a skid

Recent Examples on the Web

The birria goat taco is not heavy and not greasy since it’s not dipped in the birria broth and the tortilla is not fried. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2024

Vinegar, which can tackle everything from greasy stovetop to soap-scum showers. —Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 9 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing greasy

• greasy spoon

Kids Definition

greasy

adjective

ˈgrē-sē  -zē 

greasier; greasiest

1

: smeared with grease

2

: containing grease

greasy food

3

: resembling grease or oil : smooth, slippery

greasily

-sə-lē 

-zə-

adverb

greasiness

-sē-nəs 

-zē-

noun