unctuous

adjective

unc·​tu·​ous ˈəŋ(k)-chə-wəs How to pronounce unctuous (audio)
-chəs,
-shwəs
1
: having, revealing, or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spirituality
2
a
: fatty, oily
b
: smooth and greasy in texture or appearance
3
: plastic
fine unctuous clay
unctuously adverb
unctuousness noun

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Is unctuous positive or negative?

Nowadays, unctuous usually has a negative connotation, but it originated as a term describing a positive act: that of healing. The word comes from the Latin verb unguere (“to anoint”), a root that also gave rise to the words unguent (“a soothing or healing salve”) and ointment. The oily nature of ointments may have led to the use of unctuous to describe things marked by an artificial gloss of sentimentality. An unctuous individual may mean well, but the person’s insincere effusiveness can leave an unwelcome residue—much like that of some ointments.

Examples of unctuous in a Sentence

an unctuous effort to appear religious to the voters an unctuous appraisal of the musical talent shown by the boss's daughter
Recent Examples on the Web The 31-year-old sherry bomb explodes in torrents of coconut and pineapple fruit before an unctuous, lingering finish of tobacco smoke. Brad Japhe, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Needs a few years to better harmonize into a more unctuous delight. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 And as unctuous as the IBA proved to be, their leaders made a fair point about IOC grift that has remained a stain on the Olympic movement: why, exactly, do members receive five-star accommodation and ludicrous per diems while many athletes struggle to survive? Sean Gregory / Paris, TIME, 11 Aug. 2024 Remember that when spraying down your pasty, white offspring, as most of us could do without the piquant afterglow from inhaling that unctuous, SPF-100 mist. Steve Cambria, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unctuous 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unctuous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French unctueus, from Medieval Latin unctuosus, from Latin unctus act of anointing, from unguere to anoint

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unctuous was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near unctuous

Cite this Entry

“Unctuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unctuous. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

unctuous

adjective
unc·​tu·​ous ˈəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)s How to pronounce unctuous (audio)
ˈəŋ(k)sh-wəs
1
: smooth and greasy like an ointment : oily
2
: too smooth, polite, and agreeable in speech or manner
unctuously adverb
unctuousness noun

Medical Definition

unctuous

adjective
: rich in oil or fat : fatty
an unctuous pharmaceutical preparation

More from Merriam-Webster on unctuous

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