Words / C2

ohl-ee-AJ-in-uh-s/ˌəʊliˈædʒɪnəs/

Oleaginous means oily; unpleasantly ingratiating and insincere (formal / disapproving): oleaginous compliments, an oleaginous manner. Unctuous (already in the dictionary) is too polite or full of false praise — the close twin. Obsequious (already in the dictionary) is too eager to please power. This batch: mordant is biting — the opposite flavour. Compliments do not date a form.

Meaning

Oily; unpleasantly ingratiating and insincere (formal / disapproving).

Examples

• “Oleaginous compliments did not date the ethics form.”
• “Unctuous is oily and insincere (already in C2). Obsequious is fawningly obedient (already in C2). Mordant is bitingly sarcastic (this batch) — the contrast. Courtesy after a sitting can be exact. Courtesy instead of a dated line is decoration. Write the date; leave the oil.”

Good to know

Oily; falsely flattering. Close: unctuous / obsequious (already in C2). This batch: mordant (the contrast). Flattery ≠ a date.

Near in meaning

unctuous, oily, smarmy, ingratiating

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