oilier; oiliest
1
: of, relating to, or consisting of oil
2
a
: covered or impregnated with oil
oily rags
b
: relatively high in naturally secreted oils
oily skin
oily hair
3
: excessively smooth or suave in manner
Examples of oily in a Sentence
The liquid has an oily feel.
a pile of oily rags
The salad dressing was very oily.
Recent Examples on the Web
Omega-3 fatty acids can be similarly tricky to get from food, as they’re primarily found in oily fish (like salmon and mackerel) and in smaller amounts in things like walnuts and flaxseeds—so you might be tempted to pop a fish oil capsule.
—
Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
Eating healthy, oily fish, which are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, is encouraged, while eggs, dairy and poultry are eaten in much smaller portions than in the traditional Western diet.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Those with oily or acne-prone skin should consider toners with calming, anti-inflammatory, or exfoliating ingredients, such as tea tree oil, centella asiatica, heartleaf extract, and ginseng.
—Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
If that’s not enough to grab your attention, the serum is also dermatologist-tested and suitable for all skin types, including dry, sensitive, combination, and oily skin.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oily
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Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
Eating healthy, oily fish, which are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, is encouraged, while eggs, dairy and poultry are eaten in much smaller portions than in the traditional Western diet.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Those with oily or acne-prone skin should consider toners with calming, anti-inflammatory, or exfoliating ingredients, such as tea tree oil, centella asiatica, heartleaf extract, and ginseng.
—Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
If that’s not enough to grab your attention, the serum is also dermatologist-tested and suitable for all skin types, including dry, sensitive, combination, and oily skin.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oily
Cite this Entry
“Oily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oily. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oily
adjective
oilier; oiliest
1
: of, relating to, or consisting of oil
2
a
: covered or soaked with oil
b
: high in oils that are naturally produced
oily skin
oiliness
noun
Medical Definition
oily
adjective
oilier; oiliest
1
: of, relating to, or consisting of oil
2
: excessively high in naturally secreted oils
oily hair
oily skin
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