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

Derived Forms

• ˌlubriˈcational, adjective
• ˌlubriˈcation, noun
• ˈlubriˌcative, adjective

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lubricate¹

C17: from Latin lūbricāre, from lūbricus slippery

Example Sentences

These days, of course, pesky things like WhatsApp rather lubricate the friction of distance of folk being in different places.

From BBC

The movie, which Tom Gustafson directed and Cory Krueckeberg wrote, weaves together various Indigo Girls songs from various eras in order to lubricate communication.

From New York Times

"These initial results demonstrate the immense potential of AI for developing more accurate and cheaper methods for estimating emissions from agriculture. This may lubricate carbon markets and incentivize adoption of climate-smart practices."

From Science Daily

These glands cool the body and lubricate the skin.

From Literature

In the pre-whaling days, an estimated 2 million sperm whales roamed the Earth’s deep waters before they were hunted for oil used to burn lamps and lubricate machinery.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• grease