# greasy

/ˈɡɹisi/ (US) · /ɡɹˈiːzi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/greasy
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. covered in oil

adjective · CEFR B1

covered with or containing a lot of oil or fat.

For teachers: smeared with, containing, or yielding grease or oil.

- The mechanic's hands were greasy after he finished fixing the car engine.
- The kitchen surfaces were coated in a greasy residue that required a heavy-duty detergent to remove effectively.

### 2. oily hair or skin

adjective · CEFR B1

having too much natural oil on the hair or skin.

For teachers: characterized by an excess of sebum on the skin or scalp.

- He needed to wash his hair because it looked greasy in the morning.
- Dermatologists often recommend specific cleansers for patients with naturally greasy skin to prevent pores from becoming clogged.

### 3. dishonest or fake

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

acting too nice in a way that feels dishonest or unpleasant.

For teachers: smooth and slippery in manner; appearing insincere, sycophantic, or untrustworthy.

- I didn't trust the salesman because he had a greasy way of talking.
- The politician's greasy charm failed to impress the voters, who perceived his constant flattery as a sign of deep-seated insincerity.

### 4. shady or unethical

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang

describing someone or something that is sketchy, illegal, or dishonest.

For teachers: pertaining to behavior that is morally suspect, unethical, or socially detestable.

- That guy is involved in some greasy business deals that sound illegal.
- The documentary exposed the greasy tactics used by the corporation to bypass environmental regulations and silence local whistleblowers.

### 5. a dirty look

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect · Informal

an angry or annoyed look given to someone.

For teachers: a contemptuous or hostile facial expression directed at another person.

- She gave him a greasy when he interrupted her during the meeting.
- After the accidental collision on the pitch, the defender shot the striker a greasy that made his frustration clear to everyone.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'to give someone a greasy'.

## Examples

- The pizza was so greasy that I needed three napkins.
- He didn't have time to shower, so his hair looked a bit greasy for the meeting.
- The mechanic wiped his greasy hands on a rag before reaching for the heavy wrench to tighten the bolt.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.