greasy

comparative greasier · superlative greasiest · alternative rare greasey

1. Having a slippery surface; having a surface covered with grease.

   a greasy mineral

   2 more examples

   […] mechanic slaves With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall Uplift us to the view […]

   c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]

   it was in the garage that Alec worked, […] doing mysterious greasy things. Grease blackened his hairy legs; grease had turned his white canvas shoes black; grease blackened his hands even beyond the wrist; grease made his short working trousers black and stiff. Yet he had the gift, which Mr Biswas admired, of being able to hold a cigarette between greasy fingers and greasy lips without staining it.

   1961, V. S. Naipaul, A House for Mr Biswas, London: André Deutsch, Part One, Chapter 2, p. 54

2. Containing a lot of grease or fat.

   c. 1795, Margaret Taylor, Mrs. Taylor’s Family Companion: or The Whole Art of Cookery Display’d, London: W. Lane, “To fry flat Fish,” p. 37, Before you dish them up, lay them upon a drainer before the fire sloping, for two or three minutes, which will prevent their eating greasy.

   2 more examples

   With a skin full of alcohol and a probable overwhelming desire for a greasy kebab, I had evidently got myself into such a state that I was unable to locate the correct door to the fast food shop.

   2010, Gavin Hoffen, Dandelion, page 3

   Nigel and Richard Bertinet go for butter. Jamie and Nigella both opt for olive oil, and Garten uses a mixture, spreading the bread generously with butter, then topping it with garlic and herbs in olive oil. Oil, to my taste, simply makes the bread seem greasy: it's great for dipping, but it doesn't seem to soak into the bread in the same way as butter – I've probably just got hopelessly rich Anglo-Saxon tastes, but for me, it's butter all the way.

   2012 May 3, Felicity Cloake, “How to cook perfect garlic bread”, in the Guardian

3. Oily in manner; obsequious.

   He does not impress me favourably. He is glib, ingratiating, and distinctly 'greasy.' He has a ready answer for everything almost before the question is out of your mouth.

   1914, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados

4. slangShady, sketchy, dodgy, detestable, unethical.

   Julian: We're gonna fill the trailers up with furniture all right, boys, but we're gonna rent them out by the hour. Bubbles: Aw, that's greasy.

   2004 April 25, “Trailer Park Boys episode "Rub N Tiz'zug"”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)

5. obsoleteFat, bulky.

   Let’s consult together against this greasy knight.

   c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]

6. obsoleteGross; indelicate; indecent.

   1 more example

   Now I am perfect hate, I lou’d but three things in the world, Philosophy, Thrift, and my self. Thou hast made me hate Philosophy. A Vsurers greasie Codpeece made me loath Thrift: but if all the Brewers Iades in the town can drug me from loue of my selfe, they shall doo more then e’re the seuen wise men of Greece could […]

   1601, John Marston, Jack Drum’s Entertainment, London: Richard Olive, act I

7. Afflicted with the disease called grease.

plural greasies · alternative rare greasey

1. AustraliacountableAn annoyed or contemptuous look; a dirty look.

   At the end of the day, when my baby is hungry, you’re going to see a boob. It’s natural, it’s beautiful, and it’s something that should be celebrated. Shout out to the dude who gave me a greasy at my local cafe last week. This one is for you.

   2024 August 22, Scarlett Keddie, “Simone Holtznagel: It’s time we got comfortable with public breastfeeding”, in Women's Health, archived from the original on 23 Aug 2024

2. countableuncountableWool that still contains grease and has not undergone scouring.

   Competition for South African wools has been very unsatisfactory, heavy conditioned greasies being at times practically unsalable.

   1899, Wool Markets and Sheep, volumes 10-11, page 11

   Antonyms: scoured