unctuous meaning

UK US /ˈʌŋtʃwəs/ 2 syllables

unctuous (adjective): unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech.

Definition of unctuous

  1. unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech
    • buttery praise
    • gave him a fulsome introduction
    • an oily sycophantic press agent
    • oleaginous hypocrisy
    • smarmy self-importance
    • the unctuous Uriah Heep
    • soapy compliments

    Synonyms: buttery, fulsome, oily, oleaginous, smarmy, soapy

    Similar: insincere

    Related forms: unctuousness

How to pronounce unctuous

unctuous is pronounced /ˈʌŋtʃwəs/ in American English. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Scrabble score: 10 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with UN · words ending in US · 8-letter words

More about unctuous on Wikipedia.