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Definitions

oily

[oi-lee] / ˈɔɪ li /
ADJECTIVE
fatty, greasy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
buttery creamy oiled slippery waxy
WEAK
adipose butyraceous lardy lubricant lubricative lubricous lustrous oil-soaked oleaginous polished rich saponaceous sleek smeary smooth soapy soothing swimming unctuous
Antonyms
WEAK
dry hateful
ADJECTIVE
flattering
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bland slick
WEAK
cajoling coaxing compliant fulsome glib gushing hypocritical ingratiating insinuating obsequious plausible servile smarmy smooth smooth-tongued suave supple unctuous
Antonyms
WEAK
dry hateful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When it comes to helping players' recovery, oily fish, nuts and seeds are top of the menu.

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025

These targets can be achieved by eating more oily fish, such as salmon or mackerel, or through supplementation where needed.

From Science Daily • Dec. 9, 2025

“It just felt weird. Just like oily, slippery,” forward Rui Hachimura said Friday morning.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2025

Walker agrees and likens it to the fact you can't remove an oily or dirty mark from clothes with just water, you need detergent too.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

I petted her, and my hands didn’t stink or feel oily.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell