oil

OYL/ɔɪl/

Pluraloils

Verboils, oiling, oiled

9 meanings of oil

Practice

1
liquid fatnouncountable or uncountable
A thick, slippery liquid that does not mix with water, like the kind used for cooking.
Like melted butter that stays runny instead of turning hard again.
She poured a little oil into the pan before adding the vegetables.
Olive oil has a soft, fruity taste.
UsageSay some oil or a spoonful of oil.
2
petroleumnouncountable or uncountable
A dark liquid found deep underground that we turn into fuel.
The country exports millions of barrels of oil each year.
Rising oil prices pushed up the cost of gas at the pump.
UsageSay crude oil for oil from the ground.
Similarpetroleum, crude
Note
3
nouncountable or uncountable
A liquid from a plant, used for its smell or taste, or in things for skin, hair, or health.
She puts a few drops of lavender oil in her bath to help her relax.
This shampoo has tea tree oil in it for a dry, itchy scalp.
UsageSay peppermint oil or essential oils.
Note
4
machine fluidnouncountable or uncountable
A liquid made from petroleum that fuels engines or keeps moving parts running smoothly.
He checked the oil before starting the car.
Add a few drops of oil to stop the hinge from squeaking.
UsageSay change the oil in a car.
Similarlubricant
5
verbtransitive
To put oil on something, for example a machine so it runs smoothly or a pan so food does not stick.
Like rubbing grease on a stiff lock so the key turns easily.
Dad oiled the noisy gate so it would stop squeaking.
Remember to oil the chain on your bike before the ride.
UsageA well-oiled machine is a group that works smoothly.
Similarlubricate, grease
Note
6
paintingnouncountable
A picture made using oil paints.
A dark oil of a sailing ship hung in the hallway.
She sold three oils at the gallery last weekend.
UsageA painting is an oil; the paint is oil.
Note
7
artist's paintnouncountable or uncountable
A thick, slow-drying paint mixed with oil, used by artists.
Like thick, colorful cream that you spread across a canvas with a brush.
She paints in oil, not watercolor, because it dries slowly.
He prefers oil because it dries slowly and blends so well.
UsageSay paint in oil, with no an or the.
Note

Less common meanings

8
fuel upverbtransitive
To give a ship or machine oil to burn as fuel.
A tanker oiled the warship at sea, filling its fuel tanks.
A navy tanker came alongside to oil the destroyer at sea.
Similarfuel, refuel
9
verbliterary
To say something in a smooth, falsely friendly way.
"Do you need a drink?" oils Robert Ryan to the disinterested Stanwyck in Clash By Night; "Let's say that's what I need," she sneers back.
1984, Michael Bronski, “Women Act Out on Film”

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–4, 6–7

It comes from Latin oleum, meaning "oil" or "olive oil", which came from Greek words for "olive oil" and "olive". English got it through Anglo-Norman and Middle English.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

Oil ultimately derives from Latin oleum. en.wiktionary.org
Latin oleum means oil or olive oil. en.wiktionary.org
The Latin word derives from Greek words meaning olive oil and, further back, olive. en.wikipedia.org
The word reached English through Anglo-Norman and Middle English. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 5, 8

This verb comes from the noun "oil".

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

The verb oil comes from the noun oil. en.wiktionary.org