What does oily mean?
Oily is an adjective describing something that contains oil, is covered in oil, or feels slick and greasy. It commonly appears in expressions such as oily skin, oily hair, and oily fish, where it refers to a physical property. Oily also has figurative meanings that suggest something suspiciously smooth or flattering in speech, as in an oily apology or an oily personality. In some informal contexts, especially in business and finance, it can indicate excessive concern with money or profit. The word is used in both British and American English and is readily understood, but its figurative applications generally carry a negative or distrustful tone.
Containing, covered with, or having the appearance or texture of oil; slick or greasy.
"The engine was cold and oily after the long journey."
Often used for substances, surfaces, skin, hair, and food.
Excessively flattering, persuasive, or ingratiating in a way that seems insincere.
"The salesperson's oily sales pitch discouraged us from buying."
Figurative and generally disapproving.
Greedy or overly focused on money and financial gain.
"The board grew tired of his oily attitude toward profits."
Less common and informal; the figurative senses overlap.
Oily can mean slippery on the surface and flattering in speech, so the word carries both a literal and a distinctly suspicious social meaning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does oily come from?
Oily was formed in English by adding the suffix -y to oil. English oil comes through Anglo-French from Latin oleum, a word associated with olive oil; related forms include the chemical adjective oleic and the noun oleum. The adjective oily therefore literally means 'having the nature or appearance of oil' before developing figurative senses based on slipperiness and excessive smoothness.
Related word forms
How oily is actually used
The figurative senses are usually critical: an 'oily' person is unctuous and insincere, while an 'oily' remark is suspiciously flattering or persuasive. In the financial sense, 'oily' is less common and often informal.
Easily confused with oily
Oil is the substance itself, whereas oily describes something containing oil or having an oily quality.