Definitions for unctuousˈʌŋk tʃu əs

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

unc•tu•ousˈʌŋk 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.

Origin of unctuous:

1350–1400; < ML ūnctuōsus < L ūnctus act of anointing

unc′tu•ous•ness(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

  1. buttery, fulsome, oily, oleaginous, smarmy, soapy, unctuous(adj)

    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"

Wiktionary

  1. unctuous(Adjective)

    Oily or greasy.

  2. unctuous(Adjective)

    Rich, lush, intense, with layers of concentrated, soft, velvety flavor.

  3. unctuous(Adjective)

    Profusely polite, especially unpleasantly so and insincerely earnest.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Unctuous(adj)

    of the nature or quality of an unguent or ointment; fatty; oily; greasy

  2. Unctuous(adj)

    having a smooth, greasy feel, as certain minerals

  3. Unctuous(adj)

    bland; suave; also, tender; fervid; as, an unctuous speech; sometimes, insincerely suave or fervid


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