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
Irish Spring soap can also help to break down stains, especially oily or combination ones, such as those caused by makeup and sweat.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025
Omega-3-rich foods Eggs, oily fish and other sources of omega-3s are staples in Feldhaus' diet.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Sarah Snook cartwheeled through 26 roles — from the beautiful and doomed protagonist to his oily, eloquent corruptor, Lord Henry, to the tragically self-sabotaging actress Sibyl Vane — without, seemingly, losing her breath or putting a single curl on Dorian’s golden head out of place.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
How to Increase Omega-3 Intake Banerjee explained that the most effective approach for those who eat fish involves eating oily varieties once or twice per week.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oily
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Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025
Omega-3-rich foods Eggs, oily fish and other sources of omega-3s are staples in Feldhaus' diet.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Sarah Snook cartwheeled through 26 roles — from the beautiful and doomed protagonist to his oily, eloquent corruptor, Lord Henry, to the tragically self-sabotaging actress Sibyl Vane — without, seemingly, losing her breath or putting a single curl on Dorian’s golden head out of place.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
How to Increase Omega-3 Intake Banerjee explained that the most effective approach for those who eat fish involves eating oily varieties once or twice per week.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 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 6 Dec. 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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