# oily

/ˈɔɪɫi/ (US) · /ˈɔɪli/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. covered in or containing oil

adjective · CEFR B1

covered with oil or containing a lot of oil.

For teachers: covered with, consisting of, or containing oil; often used to describe food, skin, or mechanical parts.

- The mechanic wiped his oily hands on a rag after fixing the engine.
- The chef warned that the fried eggplant would become excessively oily if the temperature of the oil dropped too low during cooking.

### 2. insincere behavior

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

too polite or friendly in a way that you do not trust.

For teachers: excessively smooth, polite, or flattering in a way that suggests insincerity or a hidden motive.

- I didn't trust the salesman because of his oily smile and fake compliments.
- The politician's oily manner during the interview failed to convince the public that he was being entirely transparent about the budget cuts.

### 3. resembling oil

adjective · CEFR B2

looking or feeling like oil.

For teachers: having the appearance, consistency, or slippery quality of oil.

- The water had an oily shine on the surface after the boat passed.
- The liquid had a thick, oily texture that made it difficult to wash off the laboratory equipment.

### 4. waterproof clothing

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · British English · Dialect

waterproof clothes worn by sailors or people working in the rain.

For teachers: waterproof garments, typically made of oilskin or similar treated fabric.

- The crew put on their oilies before heading out into the storm.
- Before the race began, the sailors checked their oilies for any leaks that might compromise their comfort during the overnight leg.

Usage: Almost always used in the plural form 'oilies'.

## Examples

- My skin feels very oily after a long day outside.
- The mechanic wiped his oily hands on a rag before picking up the phone.
- The politician's oily manner during the interview made many viewers doubt the sincerity of his sudden apology for the scandal.

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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.