oil
oyl
Oil (noun) means a thick, greasy liquid, either from plants, animals, or petroleum, used for cooking, fuel, or lubrication. Example: “She fried the vegetables in olive oil.”
noun
1
A thick, greasy liquid, either from plants, animals, or petroleum, used for cooking, fuel, or lubrication.
"She fried the vegetables in olive oil."
"The price of oil rose sharply after the announcement."
"Check the oil in the car before you set off on a long journey."
verb
1
To apply oil to something, especially to lubricate it.
"He oiled the squeaky hinge on the gate."
"Remember to oil the chain on your bike after riding in the rain."
"The cook oiled the tray so the bread would not stick."
How to use oil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA greasy liquid used for cooking, fuel, or keeping machine parts moving smoothly.
Common pairings
cooking oil
crude oil
oil a hinge
olive oil
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Word forms
- Plural
- oils
- Third person singular
- oils
- Past tense
- oiled
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She fried the vegetables in olive _____.
Etymology
From Old French olie, ultimately from Latin oleum, "olive oil" — from the Greek word for "olive".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for oil
See all rhymes for oil →Frequently asked questions
What does “oil” mean?
The word “oil” means a thick, greasy liquid, either from plants, animals, or petroleum, used for cooking, fuel, or lubrication. In plain terms, a greasy liquid used for cooking, fuel, or keeping machine parts moving smoothly.
How do you pronounce “oil”?
“Oil” is pronounced oyl (/ɔɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “oil” in a sentence?
Here is “oil” used in a sentence: “She fried the vegetables in olive oil.”
What part of speech is “oil”?
Depending on how it is used, “oil” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “oil” come from?
The word “oil” comes from Latin. From Old French olie, ultimately from Latin oleum, "olive oil" — from the Greek word for "olive".
Is “oil” a common word?
“Oil” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “oil” have?
“Oil” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thick, greasy liquid, either from plants, animals, or petroleum, used for cooking, fuel, or lubrication.
What are the different types of oil?
Oils fall into a few broad groups. Cooking oils, such as olive, sunflower, and vegetable oil, come from plants. Petroleum oils, including crude oil and motor oil, are refined from the ground and used as fuel or lubricant. There are also animal oils and concentrated essential oils used in fragrance.
What is the difference between oil and grease?
Both reduce friction, but oil is a free-flowing liquid while grease is semi-solid. Grease is essentially oil combined with a thickening agent that helps it stay in place. Oil suits parts that move quickly and need constant lubrication; grease is better for joints that must hold their coating over time.
Why is oil important?
Oil is one of the most useful substances in daily life. In the kitchen it cooks and flavors food; in engines and machinery it lubricates moving parts and reduces wear; and as petroleum it fuels vehicles, heats homes, and supplies industry with raw material for countless products, from plastics to medicines.
What is an example of oil?
Olive oil is a familiar plant oil used in cooking, while motor oil is a petroleum product that lubricates engines. Crude oil, pumped from underground, is refined into fuels like gasoline and diesel. Each is thick, greasy, and does not mix with water, the shared traits of any oil.
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