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Word a Day

unctuous

adjective · /ˈʌŋtʃwəs/ · Level 4 · Expert

What does unctuous mean?

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

Definition: Princeton WordNet 3.1.

How do you pronounce unctuous?

/ˈʌŋtʃwəs/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.

What are synonyms of unctuous?

From Princeton WordNet 3.1.

Test yourself: do you know “unctuous”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “unctuous” mean?

lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting

Not quite: that's what nondescript means.

greatly different from common experience; bizarre, outrageous, strange

Not quite: that's what outlandish means.

having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped

Not quite: that's what brittle means.

unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech

Right! That's what “unctuous” means.

Which word is closest in meaning to “unctuous”?

tart

Not quite: tart means something else.

meek

Not quite: meek means something else.

oily

Right!

arid

Not quite: arid means something else.

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