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 of greasy

• slicked
• slippery
• slick
• greased

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

Despite all that moisture, the fragrance-free formula sinks in quickly without feeling greasy, so you won’t be stuck waiting around before moving on to the rest of your makeup routine. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 May 2026

Cheap silicone products may smell strongly, feel greasy, discolor quickly or develop a chalky texture over time. —Ryan Brennan may 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2026

Merit the Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen The satiny, skin-like finish is subtly dewy without reading shiny or greasy. —Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 22 May 2026

Considerations Before Getting Started Vinegar is a natural cleaner that makes easy work of cutting through tough greasy messes, but it shouldn’t be combined with other cleaners like bleach, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or ammonia. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing greasy

• greasy spoon

Rhymes for greasy

• creasy
• fleecy

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