If you describe someone as unctuous, you are critical of them because they seem to be full of praise, kindness, or interest, but are obviously insincere.
[formal, disapproval]
...the kind of unctuous tone that I've heard often at diplomatic parties.
Synonyms: obsequious, smooth, slick, plausible More Synonyms of unctuous
2. adjective
If you describe food or drink as unctuous, you mean that it is creamy or oily.
[formal]
Goose fat gives the most unctuous flavour but you can use chicken fat.
Synonyms: oily, creamy, greasy, oleaginous More Synonyms of unctuous
unctuous in British English
(ˈʌŋktjʊəs)
adjective
1.
slippery or greasy
2.
affecting an oily charm
Derived forms
unctuosity (ˌʌŋktjʊˈɒsɪtɪ) or unctuousness (ˈunctuousness)
noun
unctuously (ˈunctuously)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Medieval Latin unctuōsus, from Latin unctum ointment, from ungere to anoint
unctuous in American English
(ˈʌŋktʃuəs)
adjective
1.
a.
of, like, or characteristic of an ointment or unguent; oily or greasy
b.
made up of or containing fat or oil
2.
like oil, soap, or grease to the touch
said of certain minerals
3.
soft and rich
said of soil
4.
plastic; moldable
5.
characterized by a smug, smooth pretense of spiritual feeling, fervor, or earnestness, as in seeking to persuade; too suave or oily in speech or manner
Derived forms
unctuosity (ˌunctuˈosity) (ˌʌŋktʃuˈɑsəti)
noun or ˈunctuousness
unctuously (ˈunctuously)
adverb
Word origin
ME < ML unctuosus, greasy < L unctum, ointment < ungere, to anoint: see unguent
Examples of 'unctuous' in a sentence
unctuous
His companion was ripe and unctuous; as grand and imposing as a high-class, three-tiered wedding cake.
Nicola Barker BEHINDLINGS (2002)
She was leaning on the car, eyes clamped shut, when an unctuous voice spoke in her ear.
Gee, Maggie LOST CHILDREN (2002)
She had met that unctuous little Goebbels at some gathering and scolded him about it.
Appiganesi, Lisa DREAMS OF INNOCENCE (2002)
It was disconcerting to see that polished diplomat, always so unctuous and self-assured, show such a visible sign of distress.
Robert Silverberg KING OF DREAMS (2002)
1 (adjective)
Definition
pretending to be kind and concerned but obviously not sincere
the kind of unctuous tone that I've heard at diplomatic parties
Synonyms
obsequious
She is positively obsequious to anyone with a title.
smooth
a smooth-talking movie villain
slick
a slick, suit-wearing detective
plausible
He was so plausible he conned us all.
oily
He asked in an oily voice what he could do for them today.
gushing
fawning
flanked on all sides by fawning minions
suave
glib
He is full of glib excuses for his past mistakes.
a glib sales executive
ingratiating
His fellow students had found him too ingratiating.
insincere
sycophantic
his clique of sycophantic friends
smarmy (British, informal)
He is slightly smarmy and eager to impress.
2 (adjective)
Goose fat gives the most unctuous flavour.
Synonyms
oily
traces of an oily substance
creamy
Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.
greasy
She called him `a greasy little sycophant'.
oleaginous
Additional synonyms
in the sense of creamy
Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.
Synonyms
smooth,
soft,
creamed,
lush,
oily,
velvety,
rich
in the sense of fawning
flanked on all sides by fawning minions
Synonyms
obsequious,
crawling,
flattering,
cringing,
abject,
grovelling,
prostrate,
deferential,
sycophantic,
servile,
slavish,
bowing and scraping,
bootlicking (informal)
in the sense of glib
Definition
fluent and easy, often in an insincere or deceptive way
He is full of glib excuses for his past mistakes.a glib sales executive
Synonyms
smooth,
easy,
ready,
quick,
slick,
plausible,
slippery,
fluent,
suave,
artful,
insincere,
fast-talking,
smooth-tongued
Nearby words of
unctuous
uncouth
uncover
uncritical
unctuous
undaunted
undeceive
undecided
Synonyms of 'unctuous'
unctuous
Explore 'unctuous' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of greasy
Definition
excessively pleasant or flattering in an insincere manner
She called him `a greasy little sycophant'.
Synonyms
sycophantic,
fawning,
grovelling,
ingratiating,
smooth,
slick,
oily,
unctuous,
smarmy (British, informal),
toadying
in the sense of ingratiating
His fellow students had found him too ingratiating.