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

After running the gauntlet of crash barriers and hordes of fans, guests were treated to salty French fries and greasy burgers, with gin tonics and martinis to quench their thirst. — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Finally, buff off the excess oil with a clean, dry cloth until the surface no longer feels greasy or oily. — Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026

The formula also contains tsubaki seed oil to infuse the scalp and hair with enough hydration to reduce itchiness without making hair feel greasy or heavy. — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026

The unique naite thread format gives it a pillowy consistency that hydrates and plumps the deepest of fine lines without leaving a greasy finish. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 7 Sep. 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