Oily
ˈɔɪli
Definitions
2 meaningsCovered or saturated with oil; having the qualities or characteristics of oil.
ˈɔɪli
Covered with, containing, or like oil.
The pizza was a bit too oily for my taste.
💡 Simply: Imagine your face feels extra shiny after a long day. Or, think about when you're cooking and some of the food you're cooking leaves a slippery, shiny residue on your pan! That's the same idea – it's about things being covered in a substance similar to oil. It can feel a little gross, but it's usually harmless.
👶 For kids: If something is oily, it's like it has oil on it. Like if your hands feel slippery after eating something greasy!
More Examples
He used an oily rag to clean the engine.
My hair gets oily very quickly.
How It's Used
"The pan felt oily after cooking the bacon."
"She has oily skin and needs special products."
"The mechanic used an oily rag to wipe the engine."
Containing or producing oil.
ˈɔɪli
The oily residue on the surface of the water indicated a leak.
💡 Simply: Think about a place where oil comes from. The word “oily” in this case describes something that actually has oil in it. For example, the earth has oily deposits.
👶 For kids: Something that has oil in it or can make oil.
More Examples
This land is known for its oily deposits, which have led to a variety of energy-based businesses.
The seeds are rich and oily, making for a tasty spread.
How It's Used
"Oily shale is a source of crude oil."
"The oily substance was extracted from the seeds."
Idioms & expressions
Oily rag
A person considered unreliable, untrustworthy, or deceitful.
"He's an oily rag - don't trust anything he says."
From 'oil' + '-y', Late Middle English 'oili', from Old French 'oile' (oil) + '-y' (suffix denoting 'full of, like').
The word 'oily' has been used since the Middle Ages to describe substances containing oil, and later to describe anything with a similar texture or appearance.