oily
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.covered with oil or containing a lot of oil.
adj.covered with, consisting of, or containing oil; often used to describe food, skin, or mechanical parts.
Simple“The mechanic wiped his oily hands on a rag after fixing the engine.”
In context“The chef warned that the fried eggplant would become excessively oily if the temperature of the oil dropped too low during cooking.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
adj.too polite or friendly in a way that you do not trust.
adj.excessively smooth, polite, or flattering in a way that suggests insincerity or a hidden motive.
Simple“I didn't trust the salesman because of his oily smile and fake compliments.”
In context“The politician's oily manner during the interview failed to convince the public that he was being entirely transparent about the budget cuts.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.looking or feeling like oil.
adj.having the appearance, consistency, or slippery quality of oil.
Simple“The water had an oily shine on the surface after the boat passed.”
In context“The liquid had a thick, oily texture that made it difficult to wash off the laboratory equipment.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.waterproof clothes worn by sailors or people working in the rain.
n.waterproof garments, typically made of oilskin or similar treated fabric.
Simple“The crew put on their oilies before heading out into the storm.”
In context“Before the race began, the sailors checked their oilies for any leaks that might compromise their comfort during the overnight leg.”
UsageAlmost always used in the plural form 'oilies'.
Synonymsoilskinswaterproofs
From Middle English oylei, equivalent to oil + -y. Compare German ölig (“oily”), Swedish oljig (“oily”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.