Word of the Day: Unctuous (adjective)
Possible Meanings:
- Excessively flattering or insincere, often in a way that is unpleasant.
- (Less common) Fatty, oily, or greasy.
Example Sentences (Meaning 1):
- The salesman’s unctuous compliments made her feel uncomfortable, and she knew he was just trying to make a sale. (Explanation: Unctuous describes the salesman’s excessive flattery as fake and motivated by his own gain.)
- The politician’s unctuous speeches were full of empty promises, and most voters saw right through them. (Explanation: Here, unctuous describes the politician’s insincere and manipulative way of speaking.)
Example Sentence (Meaning 2 – Less Common):
- He scraped the unctuous layer of grease off the pan before starting to cook. (Explanation: Unctuous describes the greasy texture of the oil left over from cooking.)
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Conversation Example:
Person 1: “Ugh, did you hear what Bernard said about my presentation? It felt so fake.”
Person 2: “Yeah, it was totally unctuous. He was clearly just trying to butter you up.” (Explanation: Unctuous describes Bernard’s compliments as insincere and manipulative.)
Can you use Unctuous in a sentence of your own? Share your example in the comments below.