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
disapproving
a
: excessively smooth or suave in manner
b
: characterized by excessive smoothness or suaveness
"My dear friend," said the Chief Scribe in an oily voice …—
Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd AlexanderSynonyms of oily
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
Key Takeaways Eating leafy green vegetables, whole grains, nuts, berries, legumes, oily fish, and more may lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 16 June 2026
The best sunscreens for oily skin take this into account, by making application as enjoyable with little to no greasiness or breakout aftermath.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 12 June 2026
Sunscreen also becomes less effective in high temperatures, and the ingredients may separate and leak, causing an oily mess.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
My once desert-dry skin suddenly became more oily, especially in the T-zone.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for oily
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Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 16 June 2026
The best sunscreens for oily skin take this into account, by making application as enjoyable with little to no greasiness or breakout aftermath.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 12 June 2026
Sunscreen also becomes less effective in high temperatures, and the ingredients may separate and leak, causing an oily mess.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
My once desert-dry skin suddenly became more oily, especially in the T-zone.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for oily
Cite this Entry
“Oily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oily. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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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