unctuous Hear it!

unctuous Definition

unc·tu·ous (uŋkc̸ho̵̅o̅ əs)

adjective

    1. of, like, or characteristic of an ointment or unguent; oily or greasy
    2. made up of or containing fat or oil
  1. like oil, soap, or grease to the touch: said of certain minerals
  2. soft and rich: said of soil
  3. plastic; moldable
  4. characterized by a smug, smooth pretense of spiritual feeling, fervor, or earnestness, as in seeking to persuade; too suave or oily in speech or manner

Etymology: ME < ML unctuosus, greasy < L unctum, ointment < ungere, to anoint: see unguent

unctuous Related Forms
unc′·tu·os·ity (-äsə tē) noun or unc·tu·ous·ness unc·tu·ously adverb
unctuous Synonyms

unctuous

modif.

  1. Oily

    greasy, lenitive, unguent; see oily 1.

  2. Smooth

    plastic, slippery, waxy; see oily 2, slippery.

  3. Ingratiating

    smooth, suave, insinuating, obsequious; see affected 2, oily 3.

unctuous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • wine: This multi layered unctuous wine with amazing depth and class.
  • texture: The tendons in the beef had melted right down to give a gratifyingly unctuous texture.
  • fruit: Rather, there was a flinty, somewhat austere structure giving support and contrast to rich, unctuous fruit.
  • performance: Did that stop the unctuous performances of Fradd and Chisholm?

Browse dictionary entries near unctuous

  1. unction
  2. uncrowned
  3. uncross
  4. uncritical
  5. uncreated
  6. uncovered option
  7. uncovered
  8. uncover
  9. uncovenanted
  10. uncouth
  1. uncurl
  2. uncus
  3. uncut
  4. und so weiter
  5. undamaged
  6. undamped
  7. undaunted
  8. undead
  9. undeceive
  10. undecided