grease
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for grease, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Melted or soft animal fat, or any thick oily substance used for lubrication.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use grease
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French craisse/craisse ("fatness"), ultimately from Latin crassus, "thick" or "fat" — the same root that gives English the word crass.
Full origin of grease →Frequently asked questions
What does “grease” mean?
The word “grease” means melted or soft animal fat, or any thick oily substance used for lubrication. In plain terms, a thick, oily, fatty substance, or the act of coating something with it — often used loosely for bribery too.
How do you pronounce “grease”?
“Grease” is pronounced grees (/ɡɹis/ in IPA).
How do you use “grease” in a sentence?
Here is “grease” used in a sentence: “She wiped the grease off the pan before washing it.”
What part of speech is “grease”?
Depending on how it is used, “grease” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “grease” come from?
The word “grease” comes from Latin. From Old French craisse/craisse ("fatness"), ultimately from Latin crassus, "thick" or "fat" — the same root that gives English the word crass.
Is “grease” a common word?
“Grease” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “grease” have?
“Grease” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: melted or soft animal fat, or any thick oily substance used for lubrication.
What is the difference between grease and oil?
Grease is typically a thicker, semi-solid substance, often derived from animal fat or made by combining oil with a thickening agent, while oil is a thinner liquid lubricant. Grease tends to stay in place better on moving parts, whereas oil flows more easily and is used where continuous lubrication is needed.
What does it mean to "grease" someone in informal speech?
Informally, to "grease" someone means to bribe them, especially to secure quicker service or preferential treatment, as in the phrase "grease someone's palm." This figurative use extends from the literal idea of grease making things move more smoothly.
Is "grease the wheels" a formal or informal expression?
"Grease the wheels" is an informal idiom meaning to make a process go more smoothly, often by resolving obstacles or offering incentives. It would generally be avoided in strictly formal writing in favor of more direct language.