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
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
Mok added that other foods may offer similar health benefits, especially for sleep, including walnuts, tart cherry juice, oily fish like salmon, and some herbal teas, although more research is needed.
—
Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 27 June 2025
The study suggested that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — which are released by sebum (oily secretions that help lubricate and protect skin) in the ear wax of individuals with Parkinson’s — have a certain distinctive smell.
—Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
And maybe a little drunk and sick from all that oily food and crappy wine.
—Helen Schulman, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025
Their billionaire potential investor, Alton (Jemaine Clement, whose oily lecherousness may remind you of a recent government employee), has a neural chip in his temple that’s layered an invisible computer screen over his retinas.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for oily
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Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 27 June 2025
The study suggested that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — which are released by sebum (oily secretions that help lubricate and protect skin) in the ear wax of individuals with Parkinson’s — have a certain distinctive smell.
—Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
And maybe a little drunk and sick from all that oily food and crappy wine.
—Helen Schulman, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025
Their billionaire potential investor, Alton (Jemaine Clement, whose oily lecherousness may remind you of a recent government employee), has a neural chip in his temple that’s layered an invisible computer screen over his retinas.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for oily
Cite this Entry
“Oily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oily. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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