Skip to main content
to oil

to oil

19 4.1
To put a slippery liquid on something to make it move more easily or for a ritual
  • verb
  • /ɔɪl/
: engrasar
  • After cleaning the bike chain, don't forget to oil it for smooth riding.
  • oil machinery
  • oil a machine
  • well-oiled

You know, things need some oiling and and lubing.

Autoplay Next

Examples

Synonyms

to grease
vsto oil
44 2.8

To put oily material on moving parts so they move smoothly

is the general act that also includes healing and ceremonial application
to anoint
vsto oil
21 6.8

To put oil or ointment on a person, often in a religious ceremony

also covers treating objects and reducing friction, not only ceremonial use
to lubricate
vsto oil
  • Specialized
12 4.4

To make machine parts move smoothly by putting oil or grease on them

also covers treating body parts and ritual application, not only friction reduction
to lube
vsto oil
  • Informal
11 6.4

Apply oil or grease to a machine part so it moves more easily

is a broader word also used for body treatment and ritual acts
anointment
vsto oil
1 8.2

To apply oil to a person in a religious ceremony to show blessing or protection

is the broader action that also includes treatment and machinery care
to embrocate
vsto oil
1 9.9

To put oil or ointment on a part of the body for healing and blessing

also refers to nonmedical uses such as mechanical care or sacred rites
to inunct
vsto oil
  • Archaic
9.9

To put oil or ointment on someone as part of a religious blessing

is the general action also used for treating or mechanical purposes

Idioms

7 5.1

Work or study late at night to finish something

oil and water
  • Informal
6 4.6

People or things that are completely different and do not get along

To say or do something to calm a tense situation between people

Compounds

138 3.0

A company that finds, refines, and sells oil

127 1.0

A liquid made by pressing olives used for cooking and salads

53 3.0

Businesses that find, get, make, and sell oil and things made from it

crude oil
  • Specialized
50 3.4

A thick black oil from under the ground used to make fuel

oil production
  • Specialized
50 3.4

To get oil from the ground by drilling wells

big oil
  • Literature
34 3.2

Large companies in the oil industry that have much money and political power

oil well
  • Specialized
29 2.8

A deep hole in the ground that brings up oil

oil rig
  • Specialized
28 3.5

A large platform with machines that drill oil and gas on land or at sea

oil refinery
  • Specialized
20 3.5

A factory that changes raw oil into fuels like gasoline and diesel

20 2.3

Replacing old oil in a car engine with fresh oil

snake oil
  • Informal
19 8.0

A thing presented as helpful that does not work and tricks people

18 1.0

An oil made from plants that you use for cooking

oil tanker
  • Specialized
17 2.5

A very large ship that carries oil across oceans

oil pipeline
  • Specialized
16 2.9

A long set of pipes that carries oil between places

16 1.5

An edible oil from inside coconuts used for cooking and skin care

15 3.3

Liquid you put in a car engine to make the moving parts work smoothly

15 3.3

Fuel made from oil used to heat homes and other buildings

15 3.4

An industry that finds, produces, and sells oil and fuel

14 3.7

A strong-smelling oil from a plant used in perfumes and to add scent to a room

fuel oil
  • Specialized
12 3.5

A heavy oil that heats buildings and runs engines

12 2.7

A liquid from oily fish that people take as a health supplement

10 3.7

A thin layer of oil that floats on water after a spill

9 2.8

A cooking and industrial oil made from the fruit of oil palm trees

9 1.0

Oil from plants or seeds used to cook food

8 4.1

A lamp that burns oil to give light

8 2.0

A light cooking oil that comes from rapeseed and has a mild taste

7 2.0

A person who finds, gets, or sells oil

7 1.0

A gentle oil that keeps a baby's skin soft

7 1.1

An oil from sesame seeds that people use to add flavor to food

6 1.8

An oil from peanuts used for cooking and making soap

shale oil
  • Specialized
6 6.3

People make fuel by heating shale rock to release oil

oil shale
  • Specialized
6 5.9

A rock that gives oil when heated

6 2.7

A picture made with oil paint on canvas or panel

oil paint
  • Specialized
5 3.3

A type of paint that has color mixed in oil and dries slowly

oil pressure
  • Specialized
5 3.7

How hard oil pushes through engine parts to keep them working

snake oil salesman
  • Offensive
5 8.0

A person who tricks people by offering fake medicines or useless products

5 3.5

A part in a car engine that cleans oil to protect engine parts

5 3.4

A pale yellow oil from castor seeds that people use to treat constipation and to make paints and varnishes

4 5.3

A very rich and powerful person who owns large oil companies

oil future
  • Specialized
4 6.6

An agreement to buy or sell oil at a set price for delivery later

4 1.4

A pale yellow vegetable oil made from corn kernels used for cooking

4 2.5

A scented oil you add to bath water to make skin soft

4 4.8

A yellowish oil from flax seeds used in paints and to protect wood

3 3.4

A clear oily liquid made from oil under the ground used on skin, machines, or to treat constipation

oil pump
  • Specialized
3 3.4

A machine that moves oil to engine parts to cool them and make them move smoothly

oil painting
  • Specialized
3 2.9

Art of making pictures using oil-based paint

3 3.3

A dark mark on clothes or a surface made by oil that is hard to remove

A strong oil from the peppermint plant used to add flavour and help with digestion

2 3.9

An oil made from cloves used for flavor, smell, and easing toothache

2 2.4

An oil that people burn in lamps and heaters

diesel oil
  • Specialized
2 2.8

A heavy oil used as fuel in diesel engines

2 3.2

A pale yellow oil made from almonds used for cooking and skin care

whale oil
  • Archaic
2 7.8

A pale yellow to brown oil from whale fat that people use to light lamps

2 3.3

A liquid you put on your hair to make it soft and shiny

2 5.3

A group of countries or companies that work together to control oil production and prices

2 6.3

A special oil blessed by a priest for use in religious ceremonies

2 1.6

A light yellow oil from soybeans that people use for cooking

2 2.7

A yellow oil from lemon peels that gives a fresh smell or light lemon taste

A rise in the amount of oil a country or company produces

Oil from the livers of cod and similar fish that people take to get vitamins A and D

Oil made from sunflower seeds used for cooking and food

1 2.9

A liquid taken from walnuts used for cooking and salad dressing

1 4.3

An oil from flax seeds used as food and in paints or varnishes

An oil with a strong smell from eucalyptus leaves that eases colds and helps clean things

gas oil
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A heavy fuel made from oil that runs boilers and large engines

1 3.4

A paint made by mixing color with oil that artists use

A liquid from the livers of cod that people take as a vitamin supplement

1 1.4

A light vegetable oil used for salad dressing and cooking

1 3.6

A tropical palm tree with long leaves that produces red fruit used to make oil

1 3.2

A yellowish liquid from mustard seeds that people use for cooking and massage

coal oil
  • Archaic
1 7.6

An oil made from coal that burns easily in lamps and heaters

1 3.7

A strong scented oil made from rose petals used in perfume and skin care

oil of wintergreen
  • Specialized
1 7.5

An oil from a small plant that smells strong and flavors foods and soothes pain

How Lubricated

to grease
44 2.8
to oil
19 4.1
to dab
26 2.8

Surface Forms

oil infinitive
oiled past
oiled past participle
oiling present participle
oils third person singular

Etymology

Oil as a verb comes from the noun oil, itself from Latin oleum and Greek elaion meaning 'olive'. People long ago put olive oil on skin, tools, or machines to bless them or make them move smoothly, so to 'oil' something is to put oil on it to help, protect, or lubricate it.