Oily

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɔɪli

Alternative forms

• oyly obsolete

Origin

From oil + -y.

Full definition of oily

Adjective

1. Relating to oil.
2. Smeared with or containing oil.
3. (figuratively) Excessively friendly or polite so as to sound insincere.

Derived terms

• smell of an oily rag

Noun

1. A marble with an oily lustre.
• 1998, Joanna Cole, Stephanie Calmenson, Michael Street, Marbles: 101 ways to playLustered (also called lusters, rainbows, oilies, and pearls)
• 2001, Paul Webley, The economic psychology of everyday life (page 39)But marbles are not only used to play games: they are also traded. In this market, the value of the different kinds of marbles (oilies, emperors, etc.) is determined by local supply and demand and not by the price of the marbles ...