Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Smeared or soiled with grease or oil: Describes something that has an oily or fatty substance on its surface, making it dirty or slippery.
   • Containing an unusual amount of grease or oil: Describes food or substances that are excessively oily or fatty.
   • Smooth and slippery in texture: Describes a surface that is slick, often unpleasantly so, due to oil, moisture, or a similar substance.
   • Unpleasantly or insincerely smooth in manner: Describes behavior, speech, or a person that is overly flattering, slick, or ingratiating in a way that seems dishonest.

Examples of Usage

• Smeared with grease/oil:
  • He wiped his greasy hands on a rag.
  • The mechanic's overalls were greasy from working on the engine.
• Containing excess grease/oil:
  • The pizza was too greasy and made me feel sick.
  • Avoid greasy foods if you have an upset stomach.
• Smooth and slippery:
  • The road was greasy after the light rain, making driving dangerous.
  • The frog's skin felt cold and greasy.
• Insincerely smooth manner:
  • I don't trust that greasy salesman and his promises.
  • He gave me a greasy smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Advanced Usage

• "Greasy spoon" (noun, informal): A small, cheap restaurant or diner, typically serving fried or greasy food.
  • We stopped for breakfast at a local greasy spoon.
• "Greasy pole" (noun): Literally, a pole coated with grease to make it hard to climb; metaphorically, a difficult path to advancement, especially in a competitive career.
  • He's slowly climbing the greasy pole of corporate politics.

Variants and Related Words

• Grease (noun/verb): The oily/fatty substance itself, or the act of applying it.
  • Noun: The grease from the bacon splattered on the stove.
  • Verb: You need to grease the pan before baking.
• Greasily (adverb): In a greasy manner.
  • The food shone greasily under the lights.
• Greasiness (noun): The state or quality of being greasy.
  • The greasiness of the chips was unappetizing.

Synonyms

• Oily: Similar in meaning for both texture and food; can also describe manner.
• Fatty: Primarily for food containing a lot of fat.
• Slick: For smooth, slippery surfaces or a glib, polished manner.
• Unctuous: For an excessively smooth, ingratiating manner (more formal).

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Grease the wheels (idiom): To do something to make a process, especially in business or bureaucracy, go more smoothly.
  • A small gift was used to grease the wheels and get the permit approved faster.

Related Idioms

• Like greased lightning (simile): Extremely fast.
  • The new sports car goes like greased lightning.
• Grease someone's palm (idiom): To bribe someone.
  • They had to grease a few palms to get the construction contract.

Adjective

1. smeared or soiled with grease or oil
   • greasy coveralls
   • get rid of rubbish and oily rags
2. containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
   • greasy hamburgers
   • oily fried potatoes
   • oleaginous seeds