greasy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greasy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is covered in grease or oil, often referring to food or surfaces that are slick or oily. Example: "The fried chicken was delicious, but it was a bit too greasy for my taste."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Team-mate Julian Schieber, the key witness for the defence, insisted, however, that there had not been an assault by way of greasy street food.

The Guardian - Sport

Too bad, however: Lawrence now consists of 300 greasy bacon strips, which start following Sparky around, dispensing sage advice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It indulges his love of figuring things out, plus it identifies him as a detail-oriented aesthete compared to the likes of David Cameron, forever rubbing his greasy thumbs across his screen as he hamfistedly attempts to beat his own meagre Fruit Ninja highscore.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Generally they are people who are either at the end of their political life or near the end, they have quit climbing the greasy pole, or been dragged off it".

The Guardian

On social media, every adult with a phone – from the builder in the greasy spoon to the City boy on his foreign exchange terminal – is engaged with global issues of principle: mass executions, drone warfare, surveillance, betrayal and the love lives of celebrities jostle alongside the in-play betting odds for the football, or the amusing exploits of somebody's dog.

The Guardian - Opinion

Don't worry if the mixture feels a little sticky or greasy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The reasoning behind no-pooing is that chemical detergents in shampoo strip hair of its natural oils, causing the scalp to pump out too much, creating lank hair and a greasy scalp.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"To have that on the table, looks a bit of a mess, like a greasy spoon or something".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nothing I've tried has come close to matching up to the garlicky, greasy greens served in the humblest of curry houses; nice, sure, but not the kind of dish you'd go back to like a woman obsessed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It summed up every negative stereotype about hardcore gamers, as Cartman and his friends became fat, greasy-haired, acne-ridden slobs as they go through the endless hours of practice necessary to defeat an awesomely powerful player who was ruining the game for everyone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Polls have long suggested that most Britons consider him a bit "weird"; the greasy-spoon debacle speaks to a more damaging view, that Bagehot often hears, which is that they also consider him a loser.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "greasy" to describe character or behavior, as it carries a negative connotation of being unethical or insincere.

Common error

Avoid using "greasy" in formal or professional settings unless you intend to convey a negative or critical tone. Opt for more neutral terms like "oily" or "lubricated" when describing technical aspects or physical properties.

Linguistic Context

The word "greasy" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a surface or substance characterized by the presence of grease or oil. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly applies to both literal and figurative contexts, as shown in the examples that refer to both "greasy food" and "greasy palms".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Lifestyle

12%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Travel

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "greasy" is a versatile adjective used to describe something covered in grease or fat, or metaphorically, something unethical. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The frequency of "greasy" is very common, particularly in news and media and lifestyle content. When using "greasy", be aware of its potential negative connotations and choose alternative terms like "oily" or "slippery" in formal contexts. Remember to be mindful of the potential negative connotations and tailor your language to suit the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oily

Describes a similar texture or appearance due to the presence of oil.

fatty

Indicates a high content of fat, often used in the context of food.

oleaginous

A more formal term for having the qualities of oil; slippery and rich.

slippery

Focuses on the slickness caused by a substance like grease.

unctuous

Suggests a rich, sometimes excessively smooth or ingratiating quality.

lubricated

Implies something has been treated with a substance to reduce friction.

rich

Can describe food that is high in fat and oil, and heavy in flavor.

lardy

Specifically refers to something containing or resembling lard.

smarmy

Describes someone excessively flattering, often perceived as insincere.

oleated

A technical term for treating something with oil.

FAQs

How can I use "greasy" in a sentence?

You can use "greasy" to describe something covered in grease or fat, for example: "The "greasy burger" was delicious but unhealthy". It can also describe something unethical, such as "a "greasy politician"".

What words can I use instead of "greasy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "oily", "fatty", or "slippery".

Is it correct to say "greasy hair"?

Yes, "greasy hair" is a common and correct way to describe hair that has an excessive amount of oil.

What does it mean when someone is described as "greasy"?

Describing a person as "greasy" often implies they are untrustworthy, unethical, or overly flattering in a way that seems insincere.