unctuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unctuous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something with an excessive amount of self-satisfied or ingratiating behaviour or a greasy or oily texture. For example, "The salesperson's unctuous manner made me uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These islands, I now know, have scores of terms for animal dung, most of which double up nicely as insults, from crottle (a foresters' term for "hare excrement") to doofers (Scots for "horse shit"), to the expressive ujller (Shetlandic for the "unctuous filth that runs from a dunghill") and turdstool (West Country for "a very substantial cowpat").

The Guardian - Books

Both novels have a self-serving politicking clergyman (the Reverend Isaac Blakey has much of the unctuous insincerity of the Reverend Reginald Bacon), strong-willed and opinionated judges, politicised lawyers and macho bankers.

The Economist

In the cautious, unctuous and back-scratching literary world of post-war West Germany, he liked to trade scratches face-to-face, with a snarling disdain which seemed only partly affected.

The Economist

Mr Aziz, himself a member of the RCC, made a public appearance the next day at a poetry festival where honey-tongued bards concocted unctuous rhymes in praise of the regime.

The Economist

CHET EDWARDS, that is, not the unctuous former senator from North Carolina.

The Economist

White, unctuous, splendid stuff rose up in mounds, as in the picture above, where Mr Rich holds the bowl.Few revolutions have been made with a hand-beater.

The Economist

What ulterior agenda could explain Mansour's courting Schmidt's friendship so avidly?While Schmidt's suspicions of his unctuous neighbour could spring from those pernicious anti-Semitic tendencies, readers may be mistrustful of Mansour because Schmidt himself is such an unalluring social quarry.

The Economist

It is making unctuous appeals for talks with the South.

The Economist

When bitten, they collapsed with an unctuous squelch.Fairs are known for their decadent snack offerings.

The Economist

Douglas's screen persona is well-showcased in this film, in that his antiheroic character of Gordon Gekko whose personal credo is "greed is good"—is both unctuous and charismatic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this fascinating, yet repulsive, "Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby," an unctuous cleric and a fanciful poet, uneasily inhabiting one body, collaborated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unctuous" to describe a person, ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to their insincere behavior or a perceived moral failing. Otherwise, your readers may misinterpret your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid confusing "unctuous", which means excessively flattering or oily, with "unction", which refers to the act of anointing with oil, especially as a religious rite. Using "unction" when you mean "unctuous" will result in an error.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unctuous" primarily functions to describe a quality or characteristic, often relating to texture (oily, greasy) or behavior (excessively flattering, ingratiating). Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing both physical qualities and personality traits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "unctuous" is a versatile term that can describe both physical qualities (oily or greasy textures) and personality traits (excessive flattery or insincerity). As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is used correctly and appears frequently in writing. While its usage spans different contexts, it's especially common in News & Media and Encyclopedias. The most common mistake when using the adjective "unctuous" is that users are confusing it with "unction". If you're aiming for clarity, be sure to consider its connotations and choose it carefully. Alternatives such as "smarmy", "oily", or "sycophantic" may be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smarmy

Highlights insincere flattery and excessive politeness.

fulsome

Implies excessive and often insincere praise.

sycophantic

Stresses the fawning, subservient behavior.

ingratiating

Focuses on the attempt to gain favor.

obsequious

Stresses the eagerness to please and obey.

oily

Focuses on the greasy, slippery quality.

fawning

Emphasizes the exaggerated display of affection.

servile

Highlights the submissive and overly compliant nature.

greasy

Emphasizes the unpleasant, slippery texture.

slippery

Suggests untrustworthiness and a tendency to evade.

FAQs

How can I use "unctuous" in a sentence?

You can use "unctuous" to describe something oily or greasy, as in "The sauce had an unctuous texture." More often, it describes someone excessively flattering or ingratiating, for example, "The salesperson's unctuous manner made me uncomfortable."

What can I say instead of "unctuous"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "smarmy", "sycophantic", "ingratiating", or "oily".

What's the difference between "unctuous" and "fulsome"?

"Unctuous" often implies insincerity and a desire to gain favor through flattery, whereas "fulsome" simply means excessive or abundant, though it can also carry a negative connotation of insincerity.

Is it okay to describe food as "unctuous"?

Yes, "unctuous" can describe food that is rich, lush, and intensely flavorful, often with a smooth, velvety texture. For instance, you might describe a slow-cooked meat dish or a creamy sauce as "unctuous".