lubricate
1 synonym for lubricate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make something slippery or smooth, usually by applying oil or grease, so that it moves with less friction.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use lubricate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lubricate the engine
lubricate a hinge
lubricate the chain
The drunkenness sense is informal and humorous, while the main sense is neutral and technical.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin, where the verb meant to make slippery, itself formed from an adjective meaning slippery. That Latin word is thought to trace back to a much older root meaning to slip or slide.
Full origin of lubricate →Frequently asked questions
What does "lubricate" mean?
It means to make something slippery or smooth, usually with oil or grease, so it moves with less friction.
Can "lubricate" mean to get someone drunk?
Yes, informally and humorously it can mean to make someone drunk, often to loosen them up socially.
What's a common synonym for "lubricate"?
Lube is a common informal synonym for the main sense of the word.
