oil

[ oil ]

noun

1. any of a large class of substances typically unctuous, viscous, combustible, liquid at ordinary temperatures, and soluble in ether or alcohol but not in water: used for anointing, perfuming, lubricating, illuminating, heating, etc.
2. a substance of this or similar consistency.
3. refined or crude petroleum.
4. Painting.
   1. oil color.
   2. oil painting.
5. Informal. unctuous hypocrisy; flattery.
6. an oilskin garment.
7. Australian and New Zealand Slang. facts or news; information:

   good oil.

verb (used with object)

1. to smear, lubricate, or supply with oil.
2. to bribe.
3. to make unctuous or smooth:

   to oil his words.

4. to convert into oil by melting, as butter.

adjective

1. pertaining to or resembling oil.
2. using oil, especially as a fuel:

   an oil furnace.

3. concerned with the production or use of oil:

   an offshore oil rig.

4. made with oil.
5. obtained from oil.

oil

/ ɔɪl /

noun

1. any of a number of viscous liquids with a smooth sticky feel. They are usually flammable, insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents, and are obtained from plants and animals, from mineral deposits, and by synthesis. They are used as lubricants, fuels, perfumes, foodstuffs, and raw materials for chemicals See also essential oil fixed oil
2. 1. another name for petroleum
   2. ( as modifier )

      an oil engine

      an oil rig

3. 1. Also calledlubricating oil any of a number of substances usually derived from petroleum and used for lubrication
   2. ( in combination )

      an oilcan

      an oilstone

   3. ( as modifier )

      an oil pump

4. Also calledfuel oil a petroleum product used as a fuel in domestic heating, industrial furnaces, marine engines, etc
5. 1. paraffin, esp when used as a domestic fuel
   2. ( as modifier )

      an oil lamp

      an oil stove

6. any substance of a consistency resembling that of oil

   oil of vitriol

7. the solvent, usually linseed oil, with which pigments are mixed to make artists' paints
8. 1. often plural oil colour or paint
   2. ( as modifier )

      an oil painting

9. an oil painting
10. the good oil or the dinkum oil slang.
    facts or news
11. strike oil
    1. to discover petroleum while drilling for it
    2. to become very rich or successful

verb

1. to lubricate, smear, polish, etc, with oil or an oily substance
2. informal.
   to bribe (esp in the phrase oil someone's palm )
3. oil the wheels
   to make things run smoothly
4. See well-oiled

oil

/ oil /

1. Any of a large class of viscous liquids that are typically very slippery and greasy. Oils are composed mostly of glycerides. They are flammable, do not mix with water, and include animal and vegetable fats as well as substances of mineral or synthetic origin. They are used in food, soap, and candles, and make good lubricants and fuels.
2. See essential oil

Derived Forms

• ˈoil-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• oilless adjective
• oilless·ness noun
• oillike adjective
• re·oil verb
• self-oiling adjective
• un·oiling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oil¹

1125–75; Middle English olie, oile < Old French < Latin oleum, olīvum (olive) oil < *oleivum ( Deus ) < dialectal Greek *élaiwon ( Attic élaion ), derivative of *elaíwā olive

Word History and Origins

Origin of oil¹

C12: from Old French oile, from Latin oleum (olive) oil, from olea olive tree, from Greek elaia olive

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pour oil on troubled waters, to attempt to calm a difficult or tense situation, as an argument.
2. strike oil,
   1. to discover oil, especially to bring in a well.
   2. to have good luck, especially financially; make an important and valuable discovery:

      They struck oil only after years of market research.

More idioms and phrases containing oil

see banana oil ; burn the midnight oil ; grease (oil) someone's palm ; grease (oil) the wheels ; pour oil on troubled waters ; strike it rich (oil) .

Example Sentences

Just before the latest conference started, a secret recording showed the chief executive of Azerbaijan's COP29 team, Elnur Soltanov, discussing "investment opportunities" in the state oil and gas company with a man posing as a potential investor.

From BBC

The use of oil and gas are major causes of global warming, as they release planet-warming gases like carbon dioxide when they are burned.

From BBC

Azerbaijan followed on from another major oil producer, the United Arab Emirates, which held the conference in Dubai last year.

From BBC

In apparent response to the GOP wins, small-cap stocks, along with financial and traditional energy sectors — including oil, gas and coal — performed particularly well following the election and may continue to benefit from anticipated new policies, such as corporate tax cuts, reduced regulatory oversight for financial institutions and fewer environmental restrictions on fossil fuel production.

From Salon

Two people have been charged in connection with an incident in which Stonehenge was sprayed with orange powder during a Just Stop Oil protest.

From BBC

Related Words

• coat
• grease