a bit greasy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit greasy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe food that has a noticeable amount of grease or oil, or to refer to something that feels slick or oily in texture. Example: "The fries were delicious, but they were a bit greasy for my taste."

✓ Grammatically correct

Food descriptions

Describing textures

General observations

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The flavor is rich, straightforward — a bit greasy, but doable.

The New York Times - Travel

They are a bit greasy and very juicy, perfect summer food to savor outdoors.

The New York Times

The Silver Spoon's chopped butter between the layers, meanwhile just makes the dish a bit greasy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The only time it didn't recognise my finger instantly was when I was cooking and it was a bit greasy.

The Guardian - Tech

The bake is warm, fresh and just a bit greasy; the ackee is nutty and slightly sweet; the salt cod is tangy, zingy and belly-filling.

The New York Times - Food

There was tempura-battered cod, a bit greasy and served with mayonnaise infused with black garlic and sea truffles, from a stall called Fusion Fish & Chips.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"It could be a bit greasier, but the spice and the tanginess is there".

The New York Times - Magazine

It's not much different than your run-of-the-mill tofu scramble, though may be a bit greasier.

HuffPost

— is just a little bit greasy".

The New York Times - Arts

If it looks a little bit greasy in between showers, grab some dry shampoo.

WikiHow

It is crunchy without being the least bit greasy, and well accented by a tasty, slightly tart tahini sauce.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, consider if "a bit greasy" is a positive or negative attribute. If negative, balance it with positive aspects of the dish. If positive, emphasize the flavor or texture benefits.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit greasy" repetitively in a single piece of writing. Vary your descriptions with more specific terms related to texture and mouthfeel, such as "rich", "oily", or "slick" to avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit greasy" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its texture or quality. It indicates a slight degree of greasiness, as seen in the Ludwig examples, where it describes food, skin, or other surfaces.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

12%

The New York Times

12%

Less common in

Los Angeles Times

8%

Huffington Post

4%

The Guardian

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bit greasy" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that has a slight excess of oil. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, as exemplified in many reliable sources. When using this phrase, consider whether the greasiness is intended as a positive or negative attribute, and adjust your writing accordingly. While "a bit greasy" is widely understood, varying your descriptions with synonyms like "slightly oily" or "somewhat slick" can enhance your writing. It is most commonly used in News & Media, but is also seen across Wiki and food-related contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly oily

Replaces 'greasy' with 'oily', maintaining a similar meaning but focusing specifically on oil content.

somewhat greasy

Substitutes 'a bit' with 'somewhat', indicating a similar degree of greasiness.

a little oily

Uses 'oily' instead of 'greasy' and 'a little' instead of 'a bit', for a more general description.

a tad greasy

Replaces 'a bit' with 'a tad', providing a slightly more informal tone.

a trifle greasy

Uses 'a trifle' instead of 'a bit', suggesting a minor amount of greasiness with a slightly more formal tone.

a touch greasy

Employs 'a touch' to convey a minimal level of greasiness.

a shade greasy

Utilizes 'a shade' to express a slight degree of greasiness.

slightly slick

Shifts the focus to the texture implied by greasiness, using 'slick' instead.

somewhat slick

Focuses on the texture implied by greasiness, using 'slick' and 'somewhat' to describe it.

lightly greased

Describes the item as having a light application of grease, implying a functional or intentional greasiness.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit greasy" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit greasy" to describe the texture of food, the condition of a surface, or even the feeling of hair. For example, "The pizza was delicious, but the crust was "a bit greasy"."

What's a more formal alternative to "a bit greasy"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "slightly oily" or "somewhat slick" as alternatives to "a bit greasy".

Is it negative to describe something as "a bit greasy"?

It depends on the context. Describing food as "a bit greasy" might be negative, implying it's unappetizing. However, describing a machine part as "a bit greasy" could be positive, indicating it's properly lubricated.

What words are similar to "a bit greasy"?

Similar phrases include "slightly oily", "somewhat greasy", and "a little oily". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.