Advertisement

View synonyms for lubricate

lubricate

[ loo-bri-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.
  1. to apply some oily or greasy substance to (a machine, parts of a mechanism, etc.) in order to diminish friction; oil or grease (something).
  2. to make slippery or smooth; apply a lubricant to:

    to lubricate one's hands with a lotion.

  3. to smooth over, as a difficulty or human relationship; ease:

    to lubricate the friction between enemies.

  4. Slang. to provide with intoxicating drinks.
  5. Slang. to bribe.


verb (used without object)

, lu·bri·cat·ed, lu·bri·cat·ing.
  1. to act as a lubricant.
  2. to apply a lubricant to something.
  3. Slang. to drink or become drunk.

lubricate

/ ˈluːbrɪˌkeɪt /

verb

  1. tr to cover or treat with an oily or greasy substance so as to lessen friction
  2. tr to make greasy, slippery, or smooth
  3. intr to act as a lubricant
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˌlubriˈcational, adjective
  • ˌlubriˈcation, noun
  • ˈlubriˌcative, adjective
Discover More

Other Words From

  • lubri·cation noun
  • lubri·cation·al adjective
  • lubri·cative adjective
  • lu·bri·ca·to·ry [loo, -bri-k, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
  • non·lubri·cating adjective
  • over·lubri·cate verb (used with object) overlubricated overlubricating
  • over·lubri·cation noun
  • re·lubri·cate verb (used with object) relubricated relubricating
  • relu·bri·cation noun
  • self-lubri·cated adjective
  • self-lubri·cating adjective
  • self-lubri·cation noun
  • un·lubri·cated adjective
  • un·lubri·cating adjective
  • un·lubri·cative adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of lubricate1

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre “to make slippery.” See lubric, -ate 1
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of lubricate1

C17: from Latin lūbricāre, from lūbricus slippery
Discover More

Example Sentences

Rub this cream inside your chamois or bike shorts to help keep things lubricated, which prevents chafing and hot spots.

There could also be fluids that lubricate the fault, decreasing friction and making it easier for the plates to slip past each other.

First and foremost, it’s important to keep your belt lubricated to keep it functioning at optimal use and stave off repairs.

Enthusiasts often build their own boards and nerd out over things like lubricating the switches for a perfectly silky feel.

Even a well lubricated chain-drive model will be louder than a belt-drive or wall-mounted garage door opener.

Beauty, fame, It Girl status, and old money (never new) all lubricate the entry process.

This oil was used to lubricate the anemometer and other instruments exposed outside.

Lubricate the embossed cams in the cam housing with a thin film of vaseline every fifty hours of actual running.

Lubricate the stopper and insert it in the mouth of the jar, with the handle in a line with the two side tubes.

When the pressure on the pin or any bearing is over 800 pounds per square inch, oil is no longer able to lubricate it properly.

The next operation after moulding the bullets is to lubricate them.

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


lubricantlubrication