Dictionary:
unc·tu·ous (ŭngk'chū-əs) ![]() |
- Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness: “the unctuous, complacent court composer who is consumed with envy and self-loathing” (Rhoda Koenig).
- Having the quality or characteristics of oil or ointment; slippery.
- Containing or composed of oil or fat.
- 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.]
unctuously unc'tu·ous·ly adv.unctuousness unc'tu·ous·ness or unc'tu·os'i·ty (-ŏs'ĭ-tē) n.
SYNONYMS unctuous, fulsome, oily, oleaginous, smarmy. These adjectives mean insincerely, self-servingly, or smugly agreeable or earnest: an unctuous toady; gave the dictator a fulsome introduction; oily praise; oleaginous hypocrisy; smarmy self-importance.



