unctuous
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unc·tu·ous
(ŭngk′cho͞o-əs)adj.
1. Excessively ingratiating or insincerely earnest: was annoyed by the unctuous waiter.
2.
a. Containing or composed of oil or fat.
b. Having the quality or characteristics of oil or ointment; slippery.
3. Abundant in organic materials; soft and rich: unctuous soil.
[Middle English, from Old French unctueus, from Medieval Latin ūnctuōsus, from Latin ūnctum, ointment, from neuter past participle of unguere, to anoint.]
unc′tu·ous·ly adv.
unc′tu·ous·ness, unc′tu·os′i·ty (-ŏs′ĭ-tē) n.
Synonyms: unctuous, fulsome, oily, smarmy
These adjectives mean insincerely, self-servingly, or smugly agreeable or earnest: asked a favor in an unctuous tone of voice; gave the dictator a fulsome introduction; oily praise; smarmy self-importance.
These adjectives mean insincerely, self-servingly, or smugly agreeable or earnest: asked a favor in an unctuous tone of voice; gave the dictator a fulsome introduction; oily praise; smarmy self-importance.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
unctuous
(ˈʌŋktjʊəs)adj
1. slippery or greasy
2. affecting an oily charm
[C14: from Medieval Latin unctuōsus, from Latin unctum ointment, from ungere to anoint]
unctuosity, ˈunctuousness n
ˈunctuously adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
unc•tu•ous
(ˈʌŋk tʃu əs)adj.
1. characterized by affected earnestness or moralistic fervor; excessively suave or smug.
2. characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy.
3. having an oily or soapy feel, as certain minerals.
[1350–1400; < Medieval Latin ūnctuōsus < Latin ūnctus act of anointing]
unc′tu•ous•ly, adv.
unc′tu•ous•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Adj. | 1. | unctuous - unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech; "buttery praise"; "gave him a fulsome introduction"; "an oily sycophantic press agent"; "oleaginous hypocrisy"; "smarmy self-importance"; "the unctuous Uriah Heep"; "soapy compliments" insincere - lacking sincerity; "a charming but thoroughly insincere woman"; "their praise was extravagant and insincere" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
unctuous
adjective
1. obsequious, smooth, slick, plausible, oily, gushing, fawning, suave, glib, ingratiating, insincere, sycophantic, smarmy (Brit. informal) the kind of unctuous tone that I've heard at diplomatic parties
2. oily, creamy, greasy, oleaginous Goose fat gives the most unctuous flavour.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
unctuous
adjective1. Affectedly and self-servingly earnest:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
unctuous
[ˈʌŋktjʊəs] ADJ → empalagoso, afectadoin an unctuous voice → en tono meloso, empalagosamente
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
unctuous
[ˈʌŋktʃʊəs] adj [person, tone] → onctueux/euse, mielleux/euseCollins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
unctuous
[ˈʌŋktjʊəs] adj (liter) → untuoso/aCollins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
unc·tu·ous
a. untuoso-a, oleaginoso-a; grasoso-a.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012