greasy
gb/ɡɹˈisi/ us/ɡɹˈisi/
B1
English
~ 10000
zsíros, olajos, mézesmázos, behízelgő
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is greasy
My hands were greasy after fixing the bike chain.
Olajos lett a kezem, miután megjavítottam a bicikliláncot.
He wiped the greasy tools with an old rag.
Egy régi ronggyal letörölte az olajos szerszámokat.
Be careful, the steps are greasy from the spilled oil.
The mechanic’s overalls were dark and greasy by the end of the day.
She left greasy fingerprints all over the door handle.
Learner examples
His fingers were greasy from the oil.
Az ujjai olajosak lettek az olajtól.
The plate is still greasy; please wash it again.
A tányér még mindig zsíros; kérlek, mosd el újra.
The floor is greasy, so walk slowly.
My shirt got greasy when I touched the machine.
She used paper towels to clean the greasy pan.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "fat" instead of "greasy" for surfaces (e.g., "fat hands"). Use "fat" mainly for body weight or the substance itself, and "greasy" for things covered in oil or grease.
Meaning
covered with grease or oil
Collocations
greasy hands
|greasy fingers
|greasy plate
|greasy pan
|greasy overalls
|greasy road
Synonyms
oily (Very close in meaning; slightly more general and common in both technical and everyday contexts.)
|
slick (Emphasizes smoothness and slipperiness more than dirtiness.)
Antonyms
clean (Suggests the surface has no dirt, grease, or oil on it.)
|
dry (Focuses on the absence of liquid, including oil or grease.)
Themes
daily life
|food
|home
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Having grease or oil on the surface, making it feel slippery or dirty.
Covered with or containing grease or oil so that the surface feels slippery or dirty.
B1
2
zsíros
A2
Usage pattern:
greasy [food/drink]
I love that restaurant, but the food is a bit greasy.
Nagyon szeretem azt az éttermet, de az ételeik egy kicsit zsírosak.
After a night out, they ordered greasy fries and burgers.
Egy átmulatott éjszaka után zsíros sült krumplit és hamburgereket rendeltek.
This chicken is too greasy for me; I prefer it grilled.
He felt sick after eating a very greasy breakfast.
The paper bag was shiny because of the greasy pizza inside.
Learner examples
This pizza is very greasy.
Ez a pizza nagyon zsíros.
I don’t like greasy food.
Nem szeretem a zsíros ételeket.
The fries were hot but a little greasy.
We ate a big, greasy breakfast.
Greasy burgers are not good for your health.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "oil food" or "fat food" instead of "greasy food". Use "greasy" to describe how the food feels and tastes because of the oil or fat.
Meaning
containing too much fat or oil
Collocations
greasy food
|greasy burger
|greasy fries
|greasy breakfast
|greasy takeaway
|greasy pizza
Synonyms
oily (Close in meaning; can sound slightly more neutral or technical than "greasy" in food contexts.)
|
fatty (Focuses more on the high fat content than on the sensation of oil on the surface.)
|
rich (Often used more politely; suggests heavy, strong-tasting food, not always unpleasant.)
Antonyms
light (Describes food that feels easy to eat and not heavy or oily.)
|
low-fat (Focuses on having little fat rather than the mouthfeel of the food.)
Themes
food
|health
|daily life
|food_drink
Definition
Describes food with a lot of oil or fat, usually more than people want.
Describing food that has a lot of fat or oil, often so much that it tastes heavy or unhealthy.
B1
3
zsíros
A2
Usage pattern:
greasy [body part/hair/skin]
I have very greasy hair and need to wash it every day.
Nagyon zsíros a hajam, ezért mindennap meg kell mosnom.
This cream leaves my face feeling greasy.
Ez a krém zsíros érzetet hagy az arcomon.
Teenagers often struggle with greasy skin and spots.
Her fringe looked a bit greasy by the end of the day.
He changed his shampoo because it made his scalp greasy.
Learner examples
My hair gets greasy very quickly.
Nagyon gyorsan zsírosodik a hajam.
This cream makes my face greasy.
Ettől a krémtől zsíros lesz az arcom.
I use special soap for my greasy skin.
After one day, his hair already looks greasy.
I don’t like this lotion; it feels greasy.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes avoid "greasy" and only use "oily" for skin and hair. Both are correct, but "oily" is more neutral; "greasy" can suggest the person needs to wash.
Meaning
having too much oil on skin or hair
Collocations
greasy hair
|greasy skin
|greasy face
|greasy scalp
|greasy T-zone
Synonyms
oily (The most common alternative in cosmetics and skincare; slightly more neutral than "greasy".)
Antonyms
dry (Describes skin or hair that does not have enough natural oil.)
|
normal (In skincare, describes skin with a balanced amount of oil, not too greasy or too dry.)
Themes
appearance
|health
|daily life
|body
Definition
Describes skin or hair with a lot of natural oil, so it looks shiny or dirty.
Describing skin or hair that produces or has too much natural oil, often looking shiny or unclean.
C1
INFORMAL
4
mézesmázos
B2
behízelgő
C1
Usage pattern:
a greasy [person/smile/manner]
He seemed like a greasy salesman who would say anything to close the deal.
Olyan mézesmázos ügynöknek tűnt, aki bármit mondana, csak hogy megkösse az üzletet.
She gave the manager a greasy smile and complimented his suit.
Mézesmázos mosollyal fordult a vezetőhöz, és megdicsérte az öltönyét.
There’s something a bit greasy about the way that politician talks.
His greasy charm made everyone uncomfortable.
The character is a greasy agent who flatters his clients but only cares about money.
Learner examples
I don’t trust him; he feels greasy to me.
Nem bízom benne; túl mézesmázosnak tűnik.
The man at the car shop was very greasy.
Az autókereskedésben dolgozó férfi nagyon mézesmázos volt.
She smiled in a greasy way and asked for a favor.
He is friendly, but in a greasy, fake way.
The movie shows a greasy lawyer who lies to people.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the physical meaning and ask if someone is "greasy" when they only mean the person’s skin or hair is oily. Use this figurative sense only for personality or behavior, not appearance.
Meaning
overly flattering and untrustworthy
Collocations
greasy salesman
|greasy politician
|greasy smile
|greasy charm
|greasy manner
Synonyms
sleazy (Adds a feeling of being morally dirty or involved in dishonest or low-quality activities.)
|
slimy (Very negative; emphasizes that the person feels disgusting and false.)
Antonyms
sincere (Shows real, honest feelings instead of trying to flatter for personal gain.)
|
straightforward (Honest and direct, without using fake charm or flattery.)
Themes
people
|emotions
|relationships
|communication
Definition
Describes someone who is very polite and nice in a way that feels false, usually to get something.
Describing a person or their manner as excessively polite or flattering in a way that seems insincere and untrustworthy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
greasy
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈisi/
US/ɡɹˈisi/
Syllables & stress
greasy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (greasy)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: greasy
- Comparative: greasier
- Superlative: greasiest
Word family
Forms
greasier
adjective
greasiest
adjective
Core family
grease
noun
Related words
greasiness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
non-greasy
adjective
Advanced or less common
degrease
verb
degreaser
noun
Expressions
climb the greasy pole
1/klˈaɪm ðə ɡɹˈisi pˈoʊl/
idiom
literary
struggle upward in a hierarchy
To move up to higher positions in a company, profession, or politics, when it is difficult and often involves competition and compromise.
Examples
- She has no interest in climbing the greasy pole of corporate politics.
- After years of climbing the greasy pole, he finally became party leader.
- Many people drop their principles as they climb the greasy pole of power.
greasy spoon
1/ɡɹˈisi spˈun/
fixed phrase
informal
cheap place serving greasy food
A small, cheap café or restaurant that usually serves simple, very greasy food like fried eggs, bacon, and burgers.
Examples
- We had breakfast at a little greasy spoon near the station.
- He loves eating at greasy spoons because the portions are huge.
- The film opens with a scene in a rundown greasy spoon.