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oil

n. · v.
US //ˈɔɪɫ// UK //ˈɔɪl// oil
  1. 1 cooking/food (n.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

    a thick liquid made from plants or animals that you use for cooking.

    any of various viscous, combustible, liquid substances that are typically edible and derived from plants or animals.

    Example

    Heat a little olive oil in the pan before adding the onions.

    Example

    The chef recommended using a neutral vegetable oil for frying to ensure the delicate flavours of the seafood remained prominent.
  2. 2 fuel/petroleum (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a thick liquid found underground that is used for fuel or to make petrol.

    petroleum or a substance derived from it, used as a source of energy or as a raw material in manufacturing.

    Example

    The price of oil has gone up, making it more expensive to heat homes.

    Example

    Geopolitical tensions in the region led to a sharp increase in the global price of crude oil, impacting transport costs worldwide.
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  1. 3 lubricant (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Technical

    a smooth liquid used to make the parts of a machine move easily.

    a substance used as a lubricant to reduce friction between moving surfaces.

    Example

    The bicycle chain needs some oil because it is making a clicking noise.

    Example

    Regular maintenance requires checking the engine oil levels to prevent internal components from seizing due to excessive friction.
  2. 4 art (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a type of paint made by mixing colour with oil, or a painting made this way.

    oil paint used as a medium in art, or a finished work produced using this medium.

    Example

    The museum has a famous collection of nineteenth-century oils.

    Example

    The artist preferred working in oils because the slow drying time allowed for more complex blending of light and shadow.
  3. 5 to lubricate (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to put oil on something so that it moves smoothly.

    to apply oil to a surface or mechanism to reduce friction or provide protection.

    Example

    I need to oil the door hinges to stop them from squeaking.

    Example

    The technician carefully oiled the moving parts of the clockwork mechanism to ensure its continued accuracy over the coming years.
Etymology 1

From Middle English oyle, oile (“olive oil”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman olie, from Latin oleum (“oil, olive oil”), from Ancient Greek ἔλαιον (élaion, “olive oil”), from ἐλαία (elaía, “olive”). Compare Proto-Slavic *lojь. More at olive. Doublet of oleum. Supplanted Middle English ele (“oil”), from Old English ele (“oil”), also from Latin.

Etymology 2

From Middle English oilen, oylen, from the noun (see above).

Word family
  • Nounoil
  • Adjectiveoily
Idioms8 entries

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