UNCTUOUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does unctuous mean? 

• UNCTUOUS (adjective)
  The adjective UNCTUOUS has 1 sense:

1. unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech

  Familiarity information: UNCTUOUS used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNCTUOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech

Synonyms:

buttery; fulsome; oily; oleaginous; smarmy; soapy; unctuous

Context example:

soapy compliments

Similar:

insincere (lacking sincerity)

Derivation:

unctuousness (smug self-serving earnestness)

 Context examples 

“There is surely some mistake here, gentlemen,” he said in an unctuous, make-everything-easy voice.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

An unctuous, combustible substance which is liquid, or easily liquefiable, on warming, and is soluble in ether but insoluble in water.

(Oil Dosage Form, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Any of numerous unctuous combustible substances that are liquid or can be liquefied easily on warming, are soluble in ether but not in water, and leave a greasy stain on paper or cloth.

(Oil, NCI Thesaurus)