greaser

IPA/ˈɡriː.sər/
KK[ɡrˈisɚ]IPA/ˈɡriː.sɚ/

greaser — noun

  • greasersingular
  • greasersplural

1. a young man in older American culture who is seen as tough and rebellious, often

1.nounC1
Definition

a young man in older American culture who is seen as tough and rebellious, often with slick hair, a leather jacket, and a motorcycle.

Example

In the movie, Mauricio plays a greaser with a leather jacket and a loud motorcycle.

common image: leather jacket + motorcycle

The new student looked like a greaser with dark glasses and oily hair.

Common collocations
  • greaser gang
  • greaser look
  • greaser style
  • local greasers
Synonyms
  • biker

    broader and more neutral; mainly describes someone who rides a motorcycle

  • hoodlum

    stronger and more negative; focuses on criminal behaviour

  • delinquent

    broader term for a young person who often breaks rules or laws

Usage Note

Usually used for a 1950s-style American youth image, or for someone dressed that way. It does not simply mean any person who rides a motorcycle.

Common Mistakes

He's a greaser because he rides to work on a motorcycle.
He's a biker because he rides to work on a motorcycle.
'greaser' suggests a tough old-fashioned youth image, not just motorcycle use.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Greaser is more specific and more cultural than biker, hoodlum, delinquent, or punk. A biker is simply someone who rides a motorcycle, so it does not automatically suggest black leather, slick hair, or a gang image. Hoodlum is a stronger insult for a violent young criminal, with more focus on crime than style. Delinquent is broader and often used by schools, parents, or police for a young person who breaks rules repeatedly. Punk can suggest a rude or troublesome young person, but not this particular 1950s American look. You might describe boys in a film as greasers, but call a rule-breaking teenager a delinquent instead.

biker ↗hoodlum ↗delinquent ↗punk ↗

Etymology

English

Greaser comes from grease with the suffix -er. The label likely grew out of the shiny hair grease and slick style associated with this youth image before it came to name the young men themselves.