schmierig
greasy
Etwas, das fettig oder rutschig ist und sich unangenehm anfühlt.
Definition & meaning
Schmierig is an adjective with several related meanings:
- Greasy or oily: covered with grease, oil, or another slippery substance.
Example: greasy hands or an oily surface. - Slimy or dirty: unpleasantly slippery, sticky, or grimy.
- Sleazy, shady, or disreputable: describing a person, place, or situation that seems dishonest or morally dubious.
- Smarmy or obsequious: describing someone who is excessively ingratiating in a way that feels unpleasant or insincere.
The intended meaning depends on context. For example, it can describe the physical feel of a surface or express strong disapproval of someone’s behavior.
Grammar & Word origin
Schmierig is an adjective. Its comparative forms are schmieriger (“greasier” or “sleazier”) and am schmierigensten (“the greasiest” or “the sleaziest”), depending on context.
It is formed from schmieren , meaning “to smear,” “to grease,” or “to lubricate,” plus the suffix -ig, which forms adjectives. The word’s figurative meanings developed from the idea of something being greasy, unpleasant, or dirty.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms vary by meaning:
- fettig — “greasy” or “fatty”; usually more directly describes oil or fat.
- ölig — “oily”; mainly describes an oily substance or surface and is less negative.
- glitschig — “slippery”; emphasizes how something feels or moves, not necessarily that it is dirty.
- schleimig — “slimy”; emphasizes a mucus-like texture, or figuratively a repellent, ingratiating manner.
- dubios — “dubious” or “shady”; focuses on suspicious conduct rather than a greasy or dirty impression.
- anrüchig — “disreputable” or “scandalous”; often suggests a questionable reputation.
Possible antonyms, depending on the sense:
- sauber — “clean,” the opposite when schmierig means dirty or greasy.
- trocken — “dry,” the opposite when it means oily or slippery.
- seriös — “respectable” or “serious,” the opposite when it describes a shady person or business.
- aufrichtig — “sincere,” the opposite when it describes someone smarmy or insincere.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Der Teller war schmierig und nicht sauber.adjective
The plate was greasy and not clean.
Warum sind deine Hände so schmierig nach dem Basteln?adjective
Why are your hands so greasy after crafting?
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